HBH fin 



VH 



mm 



i 
H8HHHIH] 

■Hi 

mi 

IB 

HH 




!IHBL_ 

HflHHH 


















<0 \D 



^ 






*- & *: 












**o« 















*^0< 



.6* *o 




-\ 





*^o v 







> ^ 



rf? 








» ^ 






w>- 




LECTURES 



f 



PHILOSOPHY OF MESMERISM, 



DELIVERED IN THE 



MARLBORO' CHAPEL, 



JANUARY 23-28,1843. 



BY JOHN BOVEE DODS, 

OF BOSTON 



BOSTON: 
PUBLISHED BY REDDING > CO. 

NO. 8 STATE STREET. 

1843. 



fe^#^ 






SIX LECTURES 



ON THE 



PHILOSOPHY OP MESMERISM, 



DELIVERED IN THE 



1/ 



MARLBORO' CHAPEL, 

JANUARY 23-28,1843. 

/ 

BY JOHN BOVEE DODS, 

OF BOSTON. 



REPORTED BY A HEARER, 



























BOSTON: 








ILLIAM A 


. HALL & 


CO. 


, PRINTERS, 


NO. 


12 WATER 


STREET. 








1843 











\ 






$% 



Entered according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1843, by Elijah Smith, 
in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Massachusetts. 









ANIMAL MAGNETISM. 



LECTURE I. 

Ladies and Gentlemen : It is with much pleasure 
that I present myself before you this evening, to 
lecture upon the science of Animal Magnetism. I 
do this by special invitation from several distin- 
guished members of both branches of our legislature, 
now in session in this city ; and this thronged con- 
gregation of more than two thousand hearers speak 
the interest which is awakened in the bosoms of our 
citizens in relation to this subject. This dense and 
anxious crowd too plainly manifest the high expect- 
ations which are entertained of the feeble abilities of 
the speaker to do it justice — expectations which 
I am fully sensible I shall be unable to answer. 
Leaning, however, upon the solitary grandeur of 
truth, and believing that to be stirring eloquence and 
living power, I have, therefore, even as things now 
are, with all your roused expectations crowding upon 
me, but little to hazard, for I am fully sensible that I 
am standing before a learned and an intelligent con- 
gregation. And when I inform you that I have never 
written any thing upon this subject, and am, there- 
fore, obliged to speak from the fortuitous suggestions 
of the moment, I am conscious that you will do me 
justice, by making every reasonable allowance. 



4 LECTURES ON 

It is not my profession to lecture upon this sub- 
ject. I have other means for my subsistence, and 
for that of those who depend upon me. Circum- 
stances have called me into the field. Many, very 
many ignorant individuals, who know nothing of the 
human system, nor of the common principles of any 
science, have gone into the field as lecturers on Ani- 
mal Magnetism, and by making it a mere puppet- 
show, have brought it into degradation in the public 
mind. Such persons are doing the cause, which is 
one of benevolence and mercy, an irreparable injury. 
They had better qualify themselves for the work, or 
else retire from the field. In this state of things, I 
was urged, by several scientific gentlemen, to step 
forward in defence of the cause of righteousness and 
truth, and to lend my aid in raising it from the 
dust, in wiping off the sneers of men, and in placing 
it on a foundation where it should command not 
only the attention, but the respect and admiration 
which are justly due to it from men of science and 
talents. In this city, I find but one noble spirit 
laboring and toiling, who is well qualified for the 
work, and who is deserving a better patronage than 
he receives/* As these are the circumstances under 
which I have entered the field, so, of course, I visit 
those places only where I am invited to lecture upon 
this science. 

I have had the subject of Mesmerism under con- 
sideration for about seven years, reading all that 
came in my way for and against it. Five of these 
years I remained a stubborn, a most confirmed scep- 
tic, and refused even to attend a lecture, or to wit- 
ness an experiment, until I was persuaded by a par- 
ticular friend of mine to accompany him, and see 
and hear for myself. I am, therefore, prepared to 
make all due allowance for honest sceptics ; and in 
their opposition to me during this course of lectures, 

* Dr. Gilbert. 



ANIMAL MAGNETISM. 



I shall maintain an entire empire over my feelings ; 
and being fully sensible of their condition, I well 
know how to sympathize with them. But there is 
yet another class of sceptics, who have witnessed 
experiments which they cannot resist, and still cry, 
" humbug omd collusion I " Of these, there are two 
kinds. First, those who never investigate any thing 
for themselves, and who do not know the definitions 
of the words, "humbug and collusion;" but who, 
nevertheless, use them very freely, because they have 
heard their minister, their doctor, or, perchance, their 
schoolmaster, use them. They do it by imitation, 
on the same principle that the parrot imitates the 
sound of the human voice, and they do it just about 
as understandingly. Second, those who are talented, 
and desire to keep on the wings of the popular 
breeze, and catch the breath of fame. These may 
be known by the ridicule, wit, and sarcasm they 
employ, through the press and otherwise. But, 
"humbug and collusion" have become stereotyped 
words, and their use costs but little labor ; and they 
answer most admirably to supply the place of sound 
argument and common sense in the most of minds. 
If my hearers will please turn their attention to all 
the talented writers, who have, in various ages, 
vehemently opposed those now well-established sci- 
ences which in their infancy appeared incredible, 
and who assailed them with the bitterest invective 
and sarcasm, they will learn that they were men 
who were always studying what was popular, and 
who had a large share of self-esteem, and of the love 
of approbation. This test will hold good from the 
opposers of the earth's revolution on its axis, discov- 
ered by Galileo ; from the scoffers at the science of 
the circulation of the human blood, discovered by 
Harvey, step by step, down to the scoffers at Fulton's 
application of steam-power, — yes, even down to the 
opposers of, and scoffers at, the brilliant science of 
Phrenology, which is now spreading with a power 
V 



6 LECTURES ON 

that can never be successfully resisted, a zeal that 
cannot be quenched, and a living energy that can 
never die. True, a candid man, as well as any 
other, may doubt a new science ; yet, however strange 
or incomprehensible it may appear, he will not de- 
nounce till he has given the subject a candid investi- 
gation. I am speaking of those only who denounce 
without investigation, and who can assign no other 
reason for so doing, but their own willing ignorance, 
or because the popular voice is against it. 

I am, however, proud in the reflection that the 
science of Mesmerism is embraced by men of the 
first talents and science in both continents, and 
whose names will live in the republic of letters, and 
shine with lustre, long after those of fawning syco- 
phants shall have been lost in unremembered nothing- 
ness. It is embraced here among us by a Pierpont, 
a Sunderland, a Gilbert, a Neal, and a Wayland. 
It is embraced by men who have forgotten more 
than those who cry "humbug and collusion" ever 
knew. 

I have been in the field as an occasional lecturer 
ever since October, 1841, and have uniformly advo- 
cated the same principles which I am now about to 
advance and sustain in the course of lectures I am 
pledged to deliver in this city. This fact, many now 
present well know, who have heard me in other sec- 
tions, or who have seen the substance of what I have 
now to offer on Mesmerism reported by the editor of 
the Yarmouthport Register, in March, 1842. I shall 
here contend for the same principles, and endeavor 
to sustain them by fair experiments, in electricity, 
galvanism, and common magnetism. 

There is one apology, however, to be offered in 
favor of honest sceptics. It is this : Those who 
have lectured upon Mesmerism have not pretended 
to give any cause for the wonderful phenomena pro- 
duced — have held them in mystery, and perhaps 
pronounced them inscrutable to the human intellect. 



ANIMAL MAGNETISM. 7 

Hence, it is not strange that thousands, under such 
an impression, should refuse to investigate a subject 
which its advocates held in mystery. That there are 
mysteries in Mesmerism I readily admit ; but that 
there are more than in any other science, I deny. 
We may, for instance, tell the chemical properties of 
earth, water and air, and the degree of warmth neces- 
sary to produce vegetation. But still no one can 
solve the mystery how an acorn becomes an oak, or 
a seed becomes a plant. There is no science in the 
universe, but what has some incomprehensibilities 
resting upon its face ; but this circumstance is con- 
sidered no objection to the truth of any science. 
Hence, there is no reason why Mesmerism should be 
rejected on this ground. Yet thousands do reject it, 
because they contend that it is incomprehensibly 
strange ! They know nothing but what is strange, 
and yet what is strange they cannot believe ! All 
the operations of nature going on around us are 
strange, and the only reason we have ceased to won- 
der is, because they are common. All such objec- 
tions are therefore futile. 

Before I proceed any further, I would remark that 
I consider "Animal Magnetism" a very inappropriate 
name. It should be called Spiritualism or Mental 
Electricity, because it is the direct impulse of 
mind upon the minds and bodies of others. As it is 
the science of mind and its poivers, so it is the highest 
and most sublime science in the whole realms of 
nature, and as far transcends all others as godlike 
mind transcends matter. 

Having made these introductory remarks, I now 
proceed more directly to the consideration of the 
subject before me. In presenting before you " the 
why and the wherefore " of these interesting phe- 
nomena, and, in order to make them plain to the 
humblest capacity, it will be necessary to associate 
the subject with other principles in philosophy which 
are well understood by all, and thus rise from the 



8 LECTURES ON 

consideration of the more gross and dense particles 
of matter, step by step, up to those which are the 
most rarified and subtil of which we can form any 
conception. In doing this, I shall not take into con- 
sideration every possible grade or species of matter, 
but those substances only which belong to the great 
classifications of nature's empire, and which are the 
most obvious to every observer. 

In the first place, then, I contend that there is but 
one common law pervades the whole universe of 
God, which is the law of equilibrium. In perfect 
accordance with this law there is kept up a constant 
action and reaction throughout every department of 
nature. It is true there has been much written, and 
still more said, about the multiplicity and variety of 
the laws of nature. But this is, at least to me, 
wholly unintelligible. "While, however, I contend 
for but one common law, it is still conceded that this 
law is so varied as to be perfectly adapted to all the 
variety of substances in being. On this principle 
the earth is certainly not eternal, for were it so, the 
hills and mountains would long ago have been 
washed to a level by the storms of heaven, — yes, it 
would have been done by the gentle descending 
dews. Indeed, I hazard nothing in saying, that 
even the mountains of solid granite would have been 
crumbled into atoms, ages ago, by the very opera- 
tion of the particles of air, — " the fingers of time," — 
because every thing in nature is tending to an equi- 
librium. 

Having begun at the grossest particles of matter, 
let us now rise gradually in our contemplations, step 
by step, up to those that are the most rarified and 
subtil of which we can form any conception. 
Water is a body lighter than earth. Let a canal 
be dug of one hundred feet in depth, one hundred in 
width, and a thousand feet in length. Let a strong 
lock be constructed across its centre, and one half 
filled with water. Let the gate be hoisted, and the 



ANIMAL MAGNETISM. 9 

water in the one division will fall, and in the other 
rise, until an equilibrium of height is attained. Na- 
ture having gained her end is then at rest. And the 
action of this element will be great in proportion as 
it was thrown out of balance. The rush will be at 
first tremendous, but continue gradually to lessen 
until it finds its perfect slumber in equal height. 

The same is true in relation to our atmosphere, a 
substance lighter than water. The air in this room 
is now rarified by heat, and is thus thrown out of 
balance with the circumambient air which is more 
cold and dense. Hence, through every key-hole and 
crevice there is a rush of this element into the room, 
which will continue until the equilibrium of density 
is attained. Then, and not before, nature, having 
gained her end, will be at rest. The air in one sec- 
tion of the globe is more rarified by heat than in 
another ; and hence the gentle zephyrs of heaven are 
continually fanning the human brow with a touch of 
delight, and carrying health to human habitations. 
If this element be thrown still further out of balance, 
we witness the stirring gale ; and if carried, in this 
respect, to its extreme, we witness the sweeping 
hurricane, or the roaring tornado which prostrates 
human habitations in its mighty course, and bows 
the mountain forest to the earth. 

The same is true in relation to electricity, a sub- 
stance more rarified and light than air. If two 
clouds are equally charged with this subtil fluid, they 
may pass and repass each other, or mingle into one, 
yet not a flash of lightning will be seen. But if they 
are unequally charged, or what is called in electrical 
science, "positively and negatively charged," then 
the heavens will stream with forked lightning till 
both clouds are equally charged. By long drought 
and heat, electricity becomes very unequally diffused 
throughout the atmosphere. One portion of air con- 
tains a much greater quantity than another, and 
when thus thrown out of balance to a certain ex- 



10 LECTURES ON 

treme, nature can hold out no longer. A reaction 
must take place. Convolving clouds roll the heavens 
in darkness — the lightnings flash, the thunders roll, 
and the war of elements continues until the electric 
fluid is equally diffused throughout the atmosphere, 
and also equalized with the earth. Nature, having 
thus gained her end in the equilibrium produced, is 
at rest — all is calm. 

If we pass on from inert matter to animated nature, 

we shall find that the same law there also holds its 

empire, If, for instance, a healthy child, three or 

four years of age, be permitted to sleep every night 

for a year or two between two very old, decrepid 

grandparents, it will pine away, and if not removed, 

perchance it may die. There is, perhaps, not one 

under the sound of my voice, but what has heard 

the remark, that "it is very unhealthy for young 

children to sleep with very old, infirm people." It is 

even so, and parents should beware. This child is 

full of animal life, and its nervous system is charged 

with the vital fluid, secreted by the brain. This 

gives that suppleness to the limbs, and that buoyancy 

to the heart which we witness in the young. The 

grandparents lack the proper quantity of this nervo- 

vital fluid, which occasions that rigidity of the limbs 

we witness in the aged. The same common law of 

equilibrium that pervades the universe, is here also 

in operation. The nervo-vital fluid passes from this 

child to the two aged persons in conjunction. The 

child loses, and they continue to revive, and as this 

little one can never bring those infirm persons up to 

an equilibrium with itself, so it must go down to 

them. Nature will have her equilibrium, if she has 

it in death. 

Once more ; there is in the nervous system no 
blood. By the nervous system, I mean the brain 
and all its ramifications. The blood belongs ex- 
clusively to the circulating system, which embraces 
the veins and arteries. I grant that the blood ves- 



ANIMAL MAGNETISM. 11 

sels pass round among the convolutions of the brain ; 
but in the nerve itself there is no blood, and the 
whole mass of brain is but a congeries of nerves. 
These are charged with a nervo-vital fluid, which is 
manufactured from electricity. Hence, the circu- 
lating system containing the blood, and the nervous 
system containing the magnetic fluid, are not to be 
blended, but distinctly considered. Now as a hu- 
man being may lack the proper quantity of blood in 
his circulating system, so he may lack the proper 
quantum of the nervo-vital fluid in his nervous sys- 
tem. This is certainly rational. And moreover, it 
may be easily known when such is the case- 
When we see persons, who, on hearing suddenly 
some good or bad news, are thrown into great ex- 
citement, tremor, and agitation, we may be certain 
that their nervous systems lack the due measure of 
the nervo-vital fluid. Now let a person, whose 
brain is fully charged, come in contact with one 
whose brain is greatly wanting in its due measure of 
this fluid, and let the person possessing the full brain 
gently and unchangeably hold his mind upon the 
other, and by the action of the will, the fluid will 
pass from the full brain to the other, until the equi- 
librium between the fluids in the two brains is at- 
tained. The sudden change in the receiving brain 
produces a coolness and a singular state of insensi- 
bility. This is magnetism ; and it is in perfect ac- 
cordance with all the principles of philosophy in the 
known realms of nature. If any one denies the 
operation of the law of equilibrium in this case, then 
he here makes a chasm, amidst the immensity of 
God's works, which he can nowhere else discover. 
I have clearly shown him that, from the grossest 
matter in the universe, step by step, through every 
grade, up to electricity, the same law holds its em- 
pire, and matter is continually equalizing itself with 
matter. 

On this principle, it will be readily perceived that, 



12 LECTURES ON 

if a person has a great deficiency of the nervo-vital 
fluid, he can be mesmerised the first sitting, and 
probably in an hour's time, or a much less period. 
These we call easy subjects. But if the deficiency 
be less, it will take a longer period in proportion, 
and if the brain have nearly its proper quantity of 
fluid, then the effect produced, at the first sitting, 
will be small, yet still it will be visible. 

From the premises now laid down, and in accord- 
ance with the law of equilibrium, it will probably be 
said, that only few persons can be mesmerised. 
This, however, is not correct. I contend that every 
person in existence can be, and indeed ought to be 
thrown into the mesmeric state. This, I am well 
aware, is contrary to the opinion of the advocates of 
this science. The most liberal calculation, I have as 
yet heard, is that about one in nine of the human 
family can be mesmerised. But every one can be ? 
and that, too, in perfect accordance with the princi- 
ples laid down. Let two persons of equal brains, 
both in size and fluid, sit down. Let one of these 
individuals remain perfectly passive, and let the 
other exercise his mental and physical energies ac- 
cording to the true principles of mesmerising, and 
he will displace some of the nervo-vital fluid from 
the passive brain and deposite his own in its stead. 
The next day let them sit another hour, and so on 
day after day, until the acting brain shall have dis- 
placed the major part of the nervo-vital fluid from 
the passive brain and filled up that space with his 
own nervous force, and the person will yield to the 
magnetic power, and sweetly slumber in its inex- 
pressible quietude. 



ANIMAL MAGNETISM. 13 



LECTURE II. 



Ladies and Gentlemen: On the last evening I 
had the pleasure to deliver before you my introduc- 
tory lecture on the science of Spiritualism, and to 
explain " the why and the wherefore" of the effect 
produced. I clearly showed that Mesmerism was 
in perfect accordance with the universal law of 
nature which I call the law of equilibrium, and as I, 
in concluding my lecture, contended that every 
person in the world could be mesmerised, some, as 
I suspected would be the case, have to-day argued 
that, according to the principle laid down by the 
speaker, two brains of equal power can no more 
mesmerise each other, than one of a less power can 
mesmerise a greater ; and hence, that the arguments 
of the lecturer are contradictory and irreconcilable. 
But this objection is by no means valid. It is read- 
ily conceded that two brains equally full and healthy 
cannot effect each other, admitting both persons to be 
equal in muscular energy, and to make, at the same 
time, the same mental and physical effort. But if 
one person sit down and passively resign himself, 
and another even of less power and less nervo-vital 
fluid exert all his energies, then the law of equilibri- 
um requires that there shall be an effect produced in 
the passive object equal to all the power exerted by 
the active agent. Hence, a weaker person can mes- 
merise one of superior power, and the same persons 
may alternately throw each other into the mesmeric 
state. I have known the instance where a small 
girl, and only nine years of age, mesmerised a young 
man twenty years old and of uncommon strength. 
2 



/ 



14 LECTURES ON 

Though it is a well-known law, that two bodies of 
water will seek a level when a communication is 
made between them, yet it is equally true that, by a 
pump, water may be thrown from a lower to a 
higher cistern ; and who will deny that it is in perfect 
accordance with the law of equilibrium ? Surely no 
one. It is by physical energy that the air is removed 
from the pump, and the circumambient air, pressing 
upon the water in the cistern, causes it to rise till an 
equilibrium of height is attained — exactly equal to 
all the powers employed. But so far as the mes- 
meric state is concerned, it will be remembered, that 
man, in acting on his fellow-man, exerts not only a 
physical, but a mental, and moral power. These 
must all be taken into consideration and duly weigh- 
ed, in order to form a correct idea of the law of 
equilibrium in the employment of the magnetic 
forces. If this common law in nature extended no 
further than merely to bring substances that are out 
of balance down to a common level, then all action 
in the various elements would soon cease. 

It will be remembered that no one kindred element 
ever disturbs itself, or ever throws itself out of 
balance. It requires another element to do this. 
The water would always keep on a perfect level 
with itself, throughout the globe, if air and heat 
never disturbed it. By heat it is rarified into vapors, 
carried over the globe in aerial conductors, condensed 
by cold into drops, and rained upon the mountains 
and more elevated portions of the globe, and then 
again seeks its level with the parent ocean. So 
there is a power that rarifies the air, and the denser 
portions rush to its aid, and the winds are in action 
to keep up a perfect balance in its own empire, 
while air, abstractly, could never disturb itself. 
Hence it is even the law of equilibrium by which 
one portion of water is thrown out of balance with 
itself; and the same is also true in relation to the 
atmosphere. If heat, which is but the action of 



ANIMAL MAGNETISM. 15 

electricity, rarifies the water so as to cause it in 
subtilty to approximate itself, then surely it is ac- 
cording to the law of equilibrium that water is 
thrown out of balance with itself by forcing it into 
a partial equilibrium with some more rarified sub- 
stance. Carrying out this principle, and applying it 
to Mesmerism, it will be readily understood not only 
how two persons of equal power may mesmerise 
each other, but even how one of less physical power 
may mesmerise a greater, and yet the whole be 
effected in perfect accordance with the law of equi- 
librium. 

Having made these remarks which the occasion 
seems to demand, I will now proceed to a direct 
consideration of the nervo-vital fluid in the human 
brain. 

It is admitted, that the air we breathe is composed 
of two substances, namely, oxygen and nitrogen. 
Their relative quantities are about one fifth oxygen 
and four fifths nitrogen. But these are not all. It 
is evident, that hydrogen and electricity are also 
component parts of air. Oxygen and electrici- 
ty are the principles of flame and of animal life, 
while nitrogen extinguishes both. There is not a 
single square inch of air but what contains more or 
less electricity. The air in its compound state is 
drawn into the lungs. The oxygen and electricity 
are communicated to the blood which is charged 
with iron, while the nitrogen is disengaged and ex- 
pired. This iron, which gives color to the blood, is 
instantly rendered magnetic under the influence of 
electricity, analogous to the needles in the galvanic 
battery, which become magnets merely by induction. 
The blood itself is, at the same time, oxydized by 
the oxygen of the air, and instantly becomes cherry 
red. This oxygen generates an acidity in the blood 
in some degree answering to the solution of the 
sulphate of copper in the galvanic battery. The 
blood thus magnetically prepared at the lungs is 



16 LECTURES ON 

thrown upon the heart, and forced into the arteries, 
Hence, arterial blood is red. It is propelled to the 
extremities, driven into every possible ramification, 
and is collected and carried back in the veins to the 
lungs, for a fresh supply of the electro-magnetic 
power. Hence, venous blood is dark, and is unfit 
to be thrown upon the heart a second time till it has 
again come in contact with the oxygen and electrici- 
ty of the air. The blood, thus charged, is propelled 
through its living channels, and this friction causes 
the electro-magnetic power to escape from the 
circulating system into the nervous system for which 
it has a strong affinity, and being secreted by the 
brain it becomes the nervo-vital fluid, or animal gal- 
vanism. It is important here to remark, that the 
blood, in its friction through the arteries, has given 
off its electro-magnetic power into the nervous sys- 
tem. The blood thus freed assumes a dark appear- 
ance in the veins, and becomes entirely negative. 
The lungs, being charged with a fresh supply of 
electricity, become positive. Hence, the blood is 
drawn from the veins to the lungs, on the same prin- 
ciple that the negative and the positive in electricity 
rush together. 

From the above observations, it will be perceived 
that every muscle of the human body, every organ 
and gland is polar, and by the negative and positive 
principles, as above noticed, animal life is sustained 
and perpetuated through the action of the lungs and 
blood. 

We thus perceive that the nervo-vital fluid is man- 
ufactured out of electricity, taken into the lungs at 
every inspiration. It completely charges the whole 
brain, when that organ is in a healthy state. The 
nerves composing the brain are of three kinds, 
namely: the nerves of sensation, the nerves of volun- 
tary motion, and the nerves of involuntary motion. 
I make these three divisions, so that I may be the 
more readily understood when speaking of nervous 



ANIMAL MAGNETISM. 17 

action. I desire you to bear in mind that these three 
classes of nerves are all charged with the nervo-vital 
fluid, which is exactly prepared to come in contact 
with mind. 

We put forth a will. That ivill stirs the nervo- 
vital fluid in the voluntary nerves. This fluid causes 
the voluntary nerves to vibrate. The galvanic vibra- 
tion of these nerves contracts the muscles. The 
muscles contracting, raise the arm, and that arm 
raises foreign matter. So we perceive that it is 
through this concatenation, or chain, that the mind 
comes in contact with the grossest matter in the 
universe. 

It is evident that there is no direct contact between 
mind and gross matter. There is no direct contact 
between the length of a thought and the breadth of 
that door. Nor is there any more direct contact be- 
tween my mind and hand, than there is between my 
mind and the stage upon which I stand. Thought 
cannot touch my hand; yet it must be true that 
mind can come in contact with matter, otherwise I 
could not raise my hand at all by the energies of my 
will. Hence, it must be true, that the highest and 
most subtil of inert matter in the universe, being the 
next step to spirit, can come in contact with mind. 
And electricity, changed into nervo-vital fluid, (which 
is living galvanism,) is certainly the highest and 
most ethereal inert substance of which we can form 
any conception. Hence, as before remarked, it 
must be true, that we put forth a will — by the ener- 
gies of that will this galvanic substance or nervous 
fluid is proudly stirred — that stirring vibrates the 
nerves — this vibration contracts the muscles — the 
muscles raise the arm, and that arm moves dead 
matter. 

Notwithstanding the plausibility of this argument, 

it will yet be said that, as physiologists contend that 

no one can explain through what medium the mind 

comes in contact with matter, nor even how a muscle 

2* 



18 LECTURES ON 

is made to contract, and raise the arm, and as the 
lecturer has undertaken to explain it, we have a right 
to demand positive proof. This demand being ra- 
tional, I will endeavor to meet it. I am, then, to 
prove that the nervo-vital fluid (which is perfect 
galvanism) is indeed the agent by which we con- 
tract the muscles and raise the arm. That being 
done, my point is gained, and the medium through 
which mind comes in contact with matter is estab- 
lished. 

I would first remark, that it is common when 
criminals are executed, that their bodies are delivered 
over to medical men for dissection. Now take a 
human body, and let it be conveyed from the gal- 
lows to the charnel-house, and laid upon the dissect- 
ing-table. Let a continuous shock from a strong 
galvanic battery be given, and the muscles of the 
dead man will contract, and exhibit many frightful 
contortions. Many interesting experiments of this 
character have been published. The dead man has 
been known to spring upon his knees, jolt them 
upon the floor, make violent gesticulations with his 
hands, move his head, roll his eyes, and chatter his 
teeth. The student, unused to such ghastly exhibi- 
tions, has left the room, or fainted away ; and even 
the experienced physician has started back with 
horror at the frightful contortions which he himself 
had made. Now what was it that contracted the 
muscles of this dead man ? There is but one an- 
swer to the question. It was galvanism. And what 
is galvanism but electricity in a changed form ; so 
that, instead of giving the system a sudden shock 
like electricity, it merely produces a singular vibrat- 
ing sensation upon the nerves, which causes the 
muscles to contract ? It is nothing else. Electricity, 
galvanism, magnetism, or attraction and repulsion, 
are but different dispositions of the same common 
fluid. Now as galvanism contracts the muscles of a 
dead man, and is the only power known, that when 



ANIMAL MAGNETISM. 19 

artificially applied can contract the muscles of the 
living, so it must be the agent employed by the will 
to contract the muscles, and enable us to perform 
all the voluntary motions of life. Whatever may 
be the opinions of others, I consider this argument 
irresistible, and shall hold it as such, until it be fairly 
refuted. 

It must now appear plain to every candid mind, 
that by the action of the will, and the exercise of all 
the mental powers, the nervo-vital fluid, this living 
galvanism, is continually thrown off from the volun- 
tary nerves, and through the respiratory organs is 
again supplied. There is still, however, a greater 
waste. The involuntary nerves throw off another 
large portion through the action of the heart and 
lungs, and the digestive apparatus. And the nerves 
of sensation, also, do their part in throwing off this 
fluid. Let me here particularize. The nerves of 
sensation are those by which feeling is conveyed to 
the mind- The voluntary nerves are those through 
which the mind gives motion to those parts of the 
body that are under the control of the will. The 
involuntary nerves are those that give motion to such 
parts of our system as are not under the control of 
the will. None but the involuntary nerves pass to 
the heart, stomach, and liver. So the heart will 
throb, the stomach digest its food, and the liver se- 
crete its gall, when we are awake or asleep, whether 
we will it or not. But to the lungs go both the 
voluntary and involuntary nerves. The involuntary 
ones are, however, the most numerous, so that 
though a man may hold his breath and keep the 
lungs in suspension till he faints, yet the involun- 
tary nerves will get the mastery, and restore him. 
Through these three sets of nerves the galvanic fluid 
is continually wasting and passing from the whole 
system. 

That I am correct, as to the nature of this nervous 
fluid, is certain. Take an animal, and tie off the 



20 LECTURES ON 

involuntary nerves that lead to the stomach, and 
digestion will instantly cease. Then pour a mode- 
rate current of galvanism from the battery into the 
stomach, and digestion will immediately commence. 
Hence, I have clearly proved that the nervo-vital 
fluid, secreted by the brain, is of a galvanic nature, 
and is manufactured from electricity which we 
breathe into the lungs every inspiration we take. 
And I have, moreover, proved that this electro-mag- 
netic power is the only matter that can come in 
contact with mind, and is the only agent by which 
the will contracts the muscles. Hence, the conclu- 
sion is absolutely unavoidable, that, by the concen- 
tration of the mind upon an individual, and by the 
action of the will, this fluid can be thrown upon 
another person till his nervous system is fully charg- 
ed. This is Mesmerism. 

Having these important facts before us, we per- 
ceive that the subject is one of momentous interest. 
The nervous system, embracing the brain and all its 
ramifications, when once diseased, seems to baffle 
all medical aid and skill. Hence, those upon whom 
fits or derangement are permanently settled, are 
abandoned as hopeless ; and of both of these states, 
we are all more or less in danger. Those persons, 
particularly, who, on hearing the least good or bad 
news, are thrown into tremor and agitation, are in 
danger. Their brains lack the proper quantity of the 
nervo-vital fluid. It will be remembered that in the 
nerves of the brain there is no blood. The blood is 
exclusively confined to the veins and arteries, while 
the nerves are charged with this nervo-vital fluid, a 
galvanic substance. Now if the veins and arteries 
are filled with blood, and if the nerves are fully 
charged with the galvanic fluid ; in one word, if the 
circulating system and the nervous system are in 
perfect balance, health and firmness are the result. 
But if the circulating system lack its proper quantity 
of blood, then languor and debility of body are the 



ANIMAL MAGNETISM. 21 

result. But if, on the other hand, the nervous system 
lack its proper quantity of galvanic fluid, then ner- 
vous excitability is the result, and the person is in 
danger of fits, derangement, and all the nervous 
diseases that attend the human race. This is evident 
from the following facts : Take a person who has a 
sufficiency of blood in the circulating system, but 
who, at the same time, has not enough of the gal- 
vanic fluid in his nervous system. By some circum- 
stance the blood is suddenly thrown to his head, and 
the veins and arteries which pass round among the 
convolutions of the brain are swelled with this pres- 
sure. The nerves composing the brain not being 
sufficiently filled and braced with the galvanic fluid, 
spasmodically collapse, and a fit is the result. How 
often do persons, who suppose they are well, sudden- 
ly drop down dead in the streets ! How often has a 
father or mother retired to rest, and apparently in 
health, yet in the morning the children found one or 
the other a corpse ! Here, through eating too much, 
or some other cause, the blood was suddenly pro- 
pelled to the brain, and the nerves, not being suffi- 
ciently braced with the galvanic fluid, collapsed, and 
by apoplexy, instant death ensued. Even the bosom 
companion, slumbering upon the same pillow, never 
felt a motion. 

Now if these persons had been mesmerised, no 
such calamity would have ensued. Their nervous 
system, by which I mean the whole brain and all its 
ramifications, would have been charged from a full 
and healthy brain, and having been thus charged, it 
would have stood the war of internal elements and 
outrode the rushing storm. 

In the light our subject now stands, we perceive 
how vastly important it is that every person while at 
ease, or even in health, should be operated upon 
until the brain is magnetically subdued. As stated 
in my first lecture, one person can be mesmerised in 
an hour or less, another in two hours, and so on up 



22 



LECTURES ON 



to thirty hours. Let a healthy friend of yours sit 
down, one hour each day, until he subdues your 
brain. No person should mesmerise more than one 
hour in twenty-four. The exertion is so great, he 
will injure himself if he do. But here is the glory 
of this science. Though you may labor an hour 
each day for twenty or thirty days in succession, yet 
what you gain, you hold, until the work is accom- 
plished. And not only so, but after the brain is 
once magnetically subdued, you can then throw the 
person into the state in five minutes. Yes, a child 
ten years old can then mesmerise a giant father. 
Your brain being magnetically subdued, it is worth 
hundreds of dollars to you. You are then ready 
for the day of distress. Come what may — tooth- 
ache, headache, tic doloreux, neuralgia, or any pain 
of which you can conceive ; let some one mes- 
merise you and then wake you up, and the pain is 
gone. The whole process need not occupy more 
than ten minutes. Should you fall and break your 
arm, then let some person mesmerise the arm only, 
which can be done in one minute. You are free 
from pain, and though in your wakeful state, yet you 
can look quietly on, and see the bones put to their 
places. Your arm can then be kept in the mesmeric 
state, and thoroughly and rapidly healed without 
having ever experienced one single throb of pain. 
Or by simply mesmerising your arm or leg, you can 
sit in the wakeful state and see them amputated, and 
feel no pain. But if you neglect to have your brain 
magnetically subdued, then when the day of distress 
comes upon you, as it might require several hours to 
put you into this state, it will then be too late to 
avail yourself of the blessings this science is calcu- 
lated to bestow. 

It is not only a preventive of fits, insanity, and of 
the most frightful nervous diseases, and a safeguard 
against pain, but it will cure fits, if no congestion of 
the brain has taken place. It never fails to remove 



ANIMAL MAGNETISM. 23 

the ague and fever, however long it may have been 
upon the individual, and will prevent any fevers 
prevalent in northern climates, if the individual be 
mesmerised as soon as taken. 

Here, then, are opening before us new fields 
of action where those who have hearts of benevo- 
lence may freely roam at large, and find ample scope 
for the full gratification of all their sympathetic and 
Christian feelings, and those who scoff and sneer at 
this science, do scoff and sneer at human wo, and 
human pain, and know not what they do. 



24 



LECTURES ON 



LECTURE III. 



Ladies and Gentlemen: The two lectures I 
have had the pleasure to deliver, and the successful 
experiments I have, during the last two evenings, 
performed in your presence, have awakened opposi- 
tion, and the excitement has truly become tremen- 
dous. Hundreds cannot gain admittance into this 
capacious chapel, and the breathless anxiety and 
stillness of this crowded congregation, show the deep 
and stirring -interest which you feel in the science of 
Mesmerism, which is the science of mind and its 
godlike powers. For many ages men have turned 
their attention to matter, and confined all their in- 
vestigations to the realms of material philosophy. It 
is true, that here and there a noble spirit has turned 
his attention to scan the nature and powers of the 
human mind itself. But she seemed to close her 
laboratory against their entrance, and forbid them to 
lay their hands upon her sacred shrine. In this con- 
dition, there was no alternative but to judge of mind 
itself from its vast and complicated operations, both 
mental and moral. But that the mind itself could 
directly produce a physical result by its own living 
energies, seems never to have entered their hearts. 
But new fields of thought are opened to the human 
soul, and the mysterious and wonderful powers of 
the living mind are now seen and felt. Circum- 
stances require me to say that I regard not the 
opposition nor the scepticism of men. I challenge 
investigation both as to the experiments I perform, 
or the arguments I offer. I stand mailed with im- 
mutable truth ; and hence, on this subject, am 



ANIMAL MAGNETISM. 25 

invulnerable to every attack. Truth is immutable, 
cannot bend to circumstances, and must stand inde- 
pendent of the belief or unbelief of men. It must 
soar on towering wing far above the reach of scorn, 
and sooner or later triumph over all opposition. 

I now come to speak of mind and its powers. I 
have clearly shown that the will raises the arm 
through the agency of electricity. Perhaps I should 
not call it electricity, but nervo-vital fluid or galvanic 
fluid, manufactured from electricity taken in at the 
lungs. The will is not an attribute of the mind, but 
the result of all the attributes brought into council 
and action. It is executive of the mind. The ques- 
tion now comes up in proper order before us — Is 
there any power in mind to produce a result by 
simply willing it ? I contend that there is, while the 
opposers of Mesmerism contend that there is not. 
Mesmerism, then, must stand or fall on the existence 
or non-existence of such a power. And first, suffer 
me to appeal to you as Christians. If you deny 
that mind, or spirit, has any power to produce a 
physical result, then how does the Creator govern the 
universe ? How can his Spirit come in contact with 
matter so as to produce any physical results ? The 
creation and government of the world are represented 
in scripture as the result of the divine will. " He 
doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, 
and among the inhabitants of earth." The creation 
of the world and all its appendages is represented as 
the effect of his will. " He said let there be light, 
and there was light." " He spake and it was done ; 
he commanded and it stood fast." If, then, the infi- 
nite Spirit, by holding his will unchangeably upon 
all the multifarious objects of creation, moves un- 
numbered worlds, and governs the universe, then 
there is also an energy and power in the human 
spirit proportionate to its greatness. If you grant 
that the infinite Spirit, by putting forth an infinite 
will, can produce infinite results, then surely a feeble 
3 



26 LECTURES ON 

finite spirit by putting forth a feeble finite will can 
produce a feeble finite result. I only ask of you, as 
Christian philosophers, the admission that the same 
cause shall produce the same effect. 

If, however, you deny the correctness of this con- 
clusion, then I have only to say, that you furnish the 
Atheist with a weapon by which he is sure to defeat 
you. Argue as long as you please, and even drive 
the honest Atheist from every other ground, he will 
at last say — Well, admit there is a God, yet he can 
do nothing. Your Bible, says " God is a spirit" 
Hence, he has no hands, feet, nor physical body, as 
we have. He may, therefore, icill and will to all 
eternity ; yet he can do nothing, because spirit, by its 
mere mental action, cannot come in contact with, 
nor in the least affect matter. We know this, says 
the Atheist, from observation and experience. " And 
what can we reason but from what we know ? " A 
human being for instance, may sit down and exer- 
cise all his mental energies. He may will and will 
to endless age, yet he can do nothing — cannot pro- 
duce the least physical result, unless he uses his 
hands or comes in bodily contact. I now ask 
those Christians, who deny that the mind has such 
power as we are contending for, how can they 
answer this argument of the Atheist? I contend 
that they are not able to meet it. There is no 
human ingenuity beneath these heavens that the 
Christian opposers of the mesmeric power can sum- 
mon to their aid adequate to the task. Indeed, it 
implies a contradiction in terms, and involves them 
in the following compound dilemma. — If the infinite 
Spirit, by the energies of his will, can produce infi- 
nite results, then a finite spirit, by its will, can pro- 
duce a finite result. But a finite spirit, by its will, 
cannot produce any result, so an infinite spirit, by its 
will, cannot produce any result! Of this dilemma 
they may take either horn. Now for the consist- 
ency of these sapient opposers. They admit that 



ANIMAL MAGNETISM. 27 

the infinite Spirit, by his will, governs the universe, 
and produces infinite effects, and yet deny that a 
finite spirit, by its will, can produce the least physical 
effect ; which is most philosophically absurd ! But if 
a finite spirit, by its living energies, can produce a 
finite result, then there is a God and the heavens do 
rule. I am willing to meet any intelligent clergy- 
man in controversy who denies the truth of Mes- 
merism ; and before this enlightened congregation, 
who shall be our jurors, I will either make him 
acknowledge the mesmeric power, or drive him to 
Atheism. I will leave him no other alternative. 

We have thus far confined our inquiries to the 
fact whether there was any power at all in mind to 
produce results independent of bodily contact. I 
now take a still higher stand, and deny, in total, that 
there is any poiver or motion whatever, in the whole 
immeasurable universe, except in mind. There can 
be no power without motion, nor can there be motion 
except it originate in mind. I care not through how 
many concatenations of cause and effect you may 
trace motion, it is after all but secondary, and must 
be traced back to mind as its starting point. For 
instance ; suppose a ball should lie at rest upon this 
floor. It would never stir unless motion were com- 
municated to it by some extraneous power. If an- 
other ball entered that door and came in contact with 
the ball at rest, it would communicate motion to it 
by impulse, losing just as much as it communicated. 
But here is no beginning of motion, and every one 
would look around for the cause. If, while gazing, 
you should see another ball enter the door, struck by 
a bat, you might not yet be satisfied, whether that 
bat was held in a man's hand, or whether it was 
fastened in some machinery prepared, and put in 
motion by human ingenuity. But you see a third 
ball enter the door, and not only discover the bat 
but the hand that grasps it. You are now satisfied. 
You know that the hand is connected with a body, 



28 LECTURES ON 

and that body with a brain and mind. Now in 
these three instances there is no beginning of mo- 
tion. The man's hand, the bat and first ball are but 
the three instruments through which motion was 
communicated to the ball at rest, and the man's 
mind was the sole mover. 

As the subject of Mesmerism is directly connect- 
ed with the powers of mind, and as this is the pivot 
on which the question between its advocates and 
opposers must eventually turn, you will permit me 
to take a wider range in this extensive field. There 
must be some medium through which the eternal 
mind comes in contact with gross matter, moves 
unnumbered worlds according to nature's law, and 
sustains and governs the unbounded universe. 
That medium must be the finest, the most rarified, 
and subtil of inert matter in being. It must be the 
last link in the material chain of inert substances that 
fastens on mind. This is electricity. Hence, it is 
through electricity, that the Great Spirit comes in 
contact with his universe. This is evident, because 
it is electricity, as it exists in the human system, 
through which our spirits come in contact with mat- 
ter. We are but an epitome of God's universe, and 
in us is contained every variety of matter and sub- 
stance in being. " The proper study of mankind is 
man ; " and in this study, the most unbounded fields 
are opened to the range of human thought. 

It may now be asked, if electricity is that sub- 
stance through which the Creator comes in contact 
with matter, how then could he act when that splen- 
did substance had no existence ? or, in other words, 
how could he create " all things out of nothing ? " 
I deny the assertion, that God created all things out 
of nothing, and challenge the proof. Space and 
duration exist of necessity, and that space was eter- 
nally filled with primal matter, which I contend is 
electricity. The scriptures do not inform us that 
God created all things out of nothing, and surely 



ANIMAL MAGNETISM. 29 

philosophy cannot inform us how many nothings it 
wall take to make the least conceivable something ! 
Though it is the commonly received opinion that 
all things were created out of nothing, yet in all 
ages of the Christian church, there have been some 
eminent men of all denominations, who have reject- 
ed this idea, and contended that all things were 
created out of some substance. I have not the time 
to refer to those persons this evening, yet permit me 
to name one. A more orthodox man than John 
Milton never lived, as all know, who have ever read 
that astonishing production of the human intellect, his 
" Paradise Lost." He was at war with the idea that 
all things were created out of nothing. I will pre- 
sent you with an extract from his Treatise on Chris- 
tian Doctrine, volume 1, pages 236 and 237. As I 
quote from memory, I may not be correct in every 
word. 

He says : " It is clear, then, that the world was 
framed out of matter of some kind or other. For 
since action and passion are relative terms, and 
since, consequently, no agent can act externally, un- 
less there be some patient such as matter, it appears 
impossible that God could have created this world 
out of nothing ; not from any defect of power on his 
part, but because it was necessary, that something 
should previously have existed capable of receiving 
passively the exertion of the divine efficacy. Since, 
therefore, both scripture and reason concur in pro- 
nouncing that all these things were made, not out 
of nothing, but out of matter, it necessarily follows 
that matter must always have existed independent of 
God, or have originated from God at some particu- 
lar point of time." 

So you perceive, Milton contends that both scrip- 
ture and reason teach that all things were made out 
of matter. I am under no obligations to prove that 
all things were not made out of nothing, for no man 
is bound by the rules of logic to prove a negative. 
3* 



30 LECTURES ON 

But I will, for a moment, depart from this establish- 
ed rule of schoolmen, and undertake to prove that 
all things were not made out of nothing. To this 
end, I will call into my service the following argu- 
ment. 

We raise an axe, and, at a single blow, cut in two 
a piece of wood one inch in diameter. Now it is 
certain that this wood was not severed instantly in 
all its parts. If it were, then the lower part would 
have been cut at the same instant that the upper 
part was, which is perfectly absurd, and therefore 
impossible. The axe certainly passed gradually 
through that wood, and progressively separated one 
grain after another. This you all perceive. By in- 
stantly, we are to understand, that no time shall 
elapse between the accomplishment of any two ob- 
jects. It may, however, be said, that there are bodies 
that move with greater velocity than this axe. I 
will then take another. There is nothing with 
which we are acquainted, that moves with greater 
velocity than light; its motion being about twelve 
million miles in a minute. Hence, the passage of a 
ray of light from the sun to the earth, would be about 
eight minutes. It is, therefore, absurd to say that 
a ray of light could be at the sun and at the earth 
the same instant, as it would allow no time for its 
passage. I will now apply the above argument to 
the subject before us. 

If something were created out of nothing, it could 
not, in the nature of things, have been done progres- 
sively or gradually, because the instant it became the 
least possible remove from nothing it would be some- 
thing. It must, in the very nature of things, remain 
nothing till it becomes something, because there is 
no possible process by which it can be gradually 
brought forward into something, for there is no ex- 
isting medium between something and nothing. 
Now if nothing were created into something, it must 
have been done instantly ; and if instantly, then it 



ANIMAL MAGNETISM. 31 

must have been nothing and something at the same 
instant, which is the climax of absurdity. It is just 
as absurd as to contend that the piece of wood be- 
fore mentioned was severed at the bottom at the 
same time that it was at the top, or that a ray of 
light could be at the sun and the earth at the same 
instant. I shall hold this argument sound until some 
one is able to refute it. 

Hence, I contend for the eternal existence of pri- 
mal matter, which is electricity. But even this pri- 
mal matter does not exist independent of Deity. It 
is the natural atmosphere or substance emanating 
from Him. It is evident that every substance in be- 
ing has its atmospheric emanation, by which it may 
be detected before w r e arrive at the body. I say at- 
mospheric emanation, because I know of no other 
more convenient term, by wilich I can express my 
ideas. For instance, the rose, and every species of 
the flower tribe, have their emanations, which like 
an atmosphere surround them, and by which we de- 
tect their existence before we come in contact with 
them. For the sake of perspicuity, suffer me to call 
it atmospheric emanation, which in the above cases 
is detected by smell. The same is true of every 
species of trees and plants in being. The same is 
true of every species of earth, and rock, and mineral, 
in existence. Each substance has an atmospheric 
emanation peculiar to itself, and by which it can be 
discovered by man, or by some other living creature. 
The camel on the desert will detect water twenty 
miles distant. The same is true in relation to all the 
races and tribes of animated beings. Each has its 
own peculiar atmospheric emanation, by which it 
may be detected by some other creature, by some 
instinctive sense of which we have little or no con- 
ception. As then every substance in being has its 
own peculiar emanation, so the atmospheric emana- 
tion of the self-existent Spirit, is electricity, which, 



82 LECTURES ON 

proceeding forth from Him, does not therefore exist 
independent of him. 

It will now be said that, on this principle of rea- 
soning, the speaker will make it out that spirit itself 
is matter. If by spirit you mean that which has 
neither length, breadth, nor thickness, nor occupies 
any space, then I have only to say that it is a mere 
chimera of the human brain, a nonentity, a nothing! 
Does Deity fill all space ? Then he is of course a 
substance, a real, living, acting and thinking being ; 
otherwise, as Christians, we use words without knowl- 
edge, when we say that he fills immensity with his 
presence. But it may be said that mind is thought, 
reason and understanding, and then be asked, wheth- 
er thought, reason, understanding, &c, occupy any 
space? But I deny that these are mind. Thought, 
reason and understanding are not mind, but the 
effects of mind. Mind is something supremely high- 
er than all these. I yet ask what is that which 
thinks, reasons and understands? It is the mind. 
Then mind is something distinct from those effects 
by which it is made manifest. What, then, it may be 
asked, is mind ? I answer, it is that substance which 
has innate or living motion ; and the result of that 
motion is thought, reason, understanding, and, there- 
fore, power. As electricity is the highest and most 
subtil of inert substances, as it fastens on mind, and 
is, therefore, more easily moved than any other inert 
substance in being, so mind is the next step above 
electricity, is the crowning perfection of all other 
substances in immensity — is living motion; and the 
result of that motion is thought and power. It is 
the living Spirit from whom emanates electricity, and 
who, out of that electricity, has created all worlds. 
Hence, the Creator is a real substance or being, 
possessing personal identity, and is infinite in every 
perfection of his adorable character. 

Electricity, which is an atmospheric emanation 
from God, and which is moved by his will, is that 



ANIMAL MAGNETISM. 33 

substance out of which all worlds and their splendid 
appendages were made. Hence, it will be perceived, 
that electricity contains all the original properties of 
all the various substances in being. All the varieties 
of the universe around us — all the beauties and 
glories of creation upon which we look with so 
many thrilling emotions of delight, were produced 
from electricity, which is the inexhaustible fountain 
of primal matter. By the living energies of the 
Divine Mind electricity was condensed into globes ; 
not instantly, but gradually. The heaviest particles 
took the lowest point, or common centre of our 
globe, and so on, step by step, lighter and lighter, 
till we reach the surface which is a vegetable mould. 
On this we find water, a substance still lighter than 
earth ; next air, which is lighter than water, and so 
on till we reach the sun, which is the highest point 
in relation to our system, because it is the common 
centre. The sun is, therefore, pure electricity. 
Hence, the twenty-nine globes, belonging to our 
system, are electrically, geologically and magnetical- 
ly made. They are but twenty-nine magnets revolv- 
ing around our sun as a common centre. 

The sun, being pure electricity or primal matter, 
is but an emanation from the Deity. It is, conse- 
quently, in a positive state. Hence, electricity is 
continually passing from the sun, as a common 
centre, to the twenty-nine surrounding worlds; on the 
same principle that it passes from a positive to a nega- 
tive cloud. Having done its duty in giving light, heat 
and vegetation, as well as magnetic power to globes, 
it is returned by reaction to the sun, and these two 
motions form the vortices that roll worlds around 
him. It is impossible that there can be any inherent 
attraction and repulsion in matter. Attraction and 
repulsion are but different dispositions of electricity. 
The best magnets are now made from the galvanic 
battery. Hence, electricity, galvanism and magnet- 
ism are but in substance one and the same fluid, 
and as this is primal matter, an emanation from the 



84 



LECTURES ON 



Eternal Mind, so all the powers of attraction and 
repulsion originate in Deity. His will comes in 
contact with electricity, and through that subtil agent 
he moves the whole immeasurable universe in ac- 
cordance with nature's law. All worlds are in 
motion. They roll rapid as the lightning's blaze, 
and in the most apparent confusion ; yet all is calm, 
regular and harmonious. God is, therefore, connect- 
ed with his universe, and superintends all its multi- 
farious operations. Though he is thus intimately 
united to inert matter, yet he is distinct from the 
whole. 

" Thou apart, 
Above, beyond ; O tell me, mighty Mind, 
Where art thou ? Shall I dive into the deep ? 
Call to the sun ? or ask the roaring winds 
For their Creator ? Shall I question loud 
The thunder, if in that the Almighty dwells ? 
Or holds he furious storms in straitened reins, 
And bids fierce whirlwinds wheel his rapid car ? 

The nameless He ! whose nod is nature's birth ; 
And nature's shield the shadow of his hand ; 
Her dissolution his suspended smile ! 
The great First Last ! pavilioned high he sits 
In darkness, from excessive splendor borne, 
By gods unseen, unless through lustre. 
His glory, to created glory, bright, 
As that to central horrors ; he looks down 
On all that soars, and spans immensity." 

Worlds are not only electrically, geologically and 
magnetically made, but they are electrically and 
magnetically suspended and moved by the imme- 
diate energies of the Divine Mind. Here is an 
image in paper costume. I will attach it to this 
electrizing machine and charge it. See! those 
papers are now all suspended, and being equally 
charged, they repel each other. I will now put my 
fingers near them. See ! how they are attracted by 
my hand. They touch me, give oft' their electricity, 
become equalized with my fingers, and then fall. 
Here, then, is suspension, attraction, and repulsion, 
by electricity. It may, however, be said, that if 



ANIMAL MAGNETISM. 35 

worlds are moved by electricity, that they must 
necessarily move as quick as lightning. This does 
not follow. Here is an orrery, with which the most 
of you are acquainted. I attach it to the electrical 
machine, and charge. You see it is moved by giv- 
ing off electricity at its points. But though elec- 
trically moved, yet it does not move as quick as 
lightning. The magnet I hold in my hand was 
charged from the galvanic battery, and by one single 
stroke of the battery from the prongs of this magnet 
towards the bow, I can destroy all ' its magnetic 
powers, and by reversing the action, I can just as 
suddenly restore them. 

I have now clearly shown that all motion and 
power originate in mind, and as the human spirit, 
through an electro-magnetic medium, comes in con- 
tact with matter, so the infinite Spirit does the same, 
and through this medium he governs the universe. 
Hence, those who deny the mesmeric power, must, 
to be consistent with themselves, deny that there is 
any medium through which mind can come in con- 
tact with matter, or else deny that mind, abstractly 
considered, has any power to produce results. But 
the denial of either of these is a denial of an all- 
powerful, self-existent Spirit, the Creator and Gov- 
ernor of the universe. But, on the other hand, how 
sublime the idea, that God is electrically and mag- 
netically connected with his universe ; that, by the 
energies of his own will, he has condensed and 
formed worlds from electricity, which is but the 
atmospheric emanation of his own spirit, and that 
by electricity he sustains, rolls, and governs them 
from age to age. And how sublime the idea, that 
he has " poured spirit from spirit's awful fountain, 
and kindled into existence a world of rationals." 
He has poured himself through all his works, and 
stamped upon them beauty, order, and harmony, 
which are but the reflected impressions of his own 

SPLENDOR. 



36 



LECTURES ON 



LECTURE IV. 



Ladies and Gentlemen : It is a source of grati- 
fication to me that public attention, in Boston and 
vicinity, is completely awakened to the interests of 
Spiritualism, and that they are giving this subject 
that investigation which its importance demands. 
We live emphatically in an age of investigation and 
improvement, when light seems to be pouring in 
oceans on our world ; and he who shuts his eyes, 
and then scoffs and sneers because others open theirs 
and see, is not only recreant to duty, but does society 
an irreparable wrong. But those who remain in 
scepticism much longer on the subject of Mesmer- 
ism, will be suspected either of ignorance or dishon- 
esty. I make this remark, because there is no possi- 
ble apology that any man of common sense should 
remain in scepticism another day. He can go home 
and try it upon his children or friends, and test its 
power, and know its truth ; and this every man is 
bound to do who desires to mitigate Iruman pain, 
and assuage human woes. The subject is one of 
paramount consideration, and is worthy of your best 
affections, your most ardent zeal, and your warmest 
hopes. 

In my last lecture, I took into consideration mind 
and its powers, and the medium through which it 
comes in contact with matter. This medium is 
electricity, and is that eternal, primal matter out of 
which all other substances were made. It fills im- 
mensity of space ; and worlds are successively and 
continually formed by the condensation of electricity 
under the living and ever-acting energies of the 



ANIMAL MAGNETISM. 37 

Eternal Mind. We are floating in an immensity of 
space that knows no bounds, like the mote in the 
sunbeam. This is peopled with swarming worlds, 
in number beyond an angel's computation ; and the 
residue, which has not yet become the abodes of life, 
order, and beauty, is filled up with primal matter 
still in its electrical state. Hence, the work of crea- 
tion has been going on from eternity, and will con- 
tinue to progress so long as the throne of the self- 
existent Jehovah endures, without ever arriving at an 
end in the sublime career of creation. New brother 
creations are, therefore, every moment rolling from 
his omnific hand, and that creating fiat will never, 
never cease. All this is effected by the energies of 
mind. 

In my last lecture, I stated, and, as I thought, con- 
clusively proved, that thought, reason, understanding, 
&c, were not mind, but merely the results of mind, 
and gave what I considered conclusive evidence. 
I, moreover, stated that mind was a substance that 
occupied space, that it possessed living motion, and 
that the result of that motion was thought, reason, 
and power, and gave what I considered proof. But 
it seems that both of these positions have been dis- 
puted, and hence I will once more touch these two 
points. 

If thought, reason, and understanding are mind, 
then our minds are annihilated every night in sleep. 
Because, if all the organs of the brain are wrapped 
in profound slumber, then there is not a single 
thought stirring in the whole intellectual realm. It 
will not answer to parry the force of this argument, 
by saying that the action of blood upon the brain 
produces thought, and that this action is suspended 
in slumber, because the blood flows and acts upon 
the brain in sleep, as well as when we are awake ; 
and hence we should, on this principle, think and 
reason when asleep, nearly as well as when awake. 
This, however, is not the case. If, then, thought 
4 



38 LECTURES ON 

and reason are mind, I must insist that, in profound 
slumber, the mind is annihilated, for thought is 
gone. Hence it is plain, that thought, reason, and 
understanding are not mind, but the effects of mind. 

I will now take a different argument from the one 
offered in my last lecture, to prove that mind is a 
substance that has innate motion, and that this mo- 
tion produces thought. It is admitted on all hands, 
that the mind resides in the brain, not in the blood- 
vessels, but in the nerves themselves. Now, if the 
nerves are very much expanded by heat, it is impos- 
sible to sleep. By lying perfectly still upon our 
beds, there is a coolness steals over the brain. The 
nerves, by coolness, are made to contract. They 
continue gently to shrink until they press upon the 
living substance that they contain, and stop its motion. 
That moment all thought ceases. Recollect, mind 
is that substance whose nature is motion, and the 
result of that motion is thought. By pressure, by 
force, it is stopped, and thought is gone. The mo- 
ment our rest is complete, a nervous warmth comes 
over the brain. The nerves expand, leave the mind 
disengaged, it resumes its motion, and thought is the 
result. As cold shrinks, and heat expands the nerv- 
ous system, so that we alternately sleep and wake 
under this double action, so the mind is a living, 
self-moving, and indivisible substance, which is 
capable of being compressed sufficient, at least, to 
prevent its motion. 

Having made these remarks, which the circum- 
stances of the occasion seemed to require at my 
hands, I now invite your attention to what is called 
by sceptics the incomprehensibility and marvellous- 
ness of magnetic sleep ; and who, on this account, 
openly avow the impossibility and inconsistency of 
any one being thrown into such a state ; and who, 
whenever they witness experiments to test it, freely 
use the stereotyped words, " humbug and collusion" 
and that, too, with great emphasis, without being 



ANIMAL MAGNETISM. 39 

able, however, to detect this great, this wonderful 
imposition on public credulity ! 

The greatest objection to the truth of the science 
of Mesmerism arises from the circumstance, that the 
subject can see in a manner different from the ordi- 
nary mode of vision. That any person can see out 
of the templar region, or out of the top, or back part 
of the skull, and through solid walls, and in the 
darkest night, they contend is too preposterous to be 
believed. I deeply regret to say that medical men 
not only give countenance to such declarations made 
by the common mass, but are engaged in making 
the same themselves. But I seriously appeal to 
them whether they have never seen any patients in a 
certain state of the nervous system, induced by dis- 
ease, where they could thus see, and when sensation 
was so perfectly extinct that amputation might have 
taken place without pain? Have they never seen 
a case of catalepsy? If not, have they never seen 
in medical works well-authenticated cases of this 
disease reported? Surely they will not deny these 
things. I further inquire ; have they never seen a 
case, nor read, nor heard one reported, where patients 
in a state of catalepsy have been entirely clairvoy- 
ant? where they have seen, as no person in the 
ordinary way of vision can see? I am conscious 
that they will not hazard their medical reputation by 
giving these interrogatories an unqualified denial. 
Of all persons beneath these heavens, medical gen- 
tlemen should be the last to sneer at the idea of 
clairvoyance, or even total insensibility of a person 
in the magnetic state. 

Catalepsy is a sudden suppression of motion and 
sensation ; a kind of apolexy, in which the patient is 
in a fixed posture. If the case be an aggravated 
one, the patient is sometimes senseless and even 
speechless. To bring this subject directly and plain- 
ly before you, I will relate to you an incident which 
was stated to me about six months ago by Dr. Pat- 



40 LECTURES ON 

terson, an eminent physician of Lynchburg, Virginia, 
A young lady was taken sick. Her physician, who 
lived some eight or ten miles distant, was sent for. 
He found her in a state of catalepsy. Though 
there was no sensation in her body, yet she had 
occasional fits of talking. He prescribed, stated that 
he should be there the next evening, and left. The 
evening came, and a most tremendous storm of rain, 
with high winds, set in. The darkness was pro- 
found. As the family were seated in silence and 
anxiety in the same room where the patient lay, 
some one said, " Well, our doctor will not be here to- 
night." The sick lady answered ; " Yes he will ; he 
is coming now ; he is riding on horseback, and is all 
drenched with rain." The family supposing this to 
be a mere reverie of the brain, a touch of delirium, 
made no reply. Nearly an hour passed on ; and the 
storm continuing with unabating violence, one of 
the pensive group again broke the silence, and ex- 
claimed with a feeling of regret, " Well, it is certain 
our doctor will not be here this dark stormy night! " 
The sufferer again answered, " Yes he will ; he is 
most here now ; there he is hitching his horse ; he is 
coming to the door." They heard the raps ; the 
door was opened, and in came the doctor. I now 
ask, how did this lady in a state of catalepsy see the 
physician several miles distant, through the walls of 
her house and in so dark a night ? 

This report was given in a medical journal and 
well authenticated. And moreover, there are many 
of a similar character; and of these facts medical 
men are well aware. Now I appeal to them, who 
are present on this occasion, that, if it is possible to 
throw the nervous system into a condition by disease, 
so that the patient can see in a manner entirely dis- 
tinct from the ordinary mode of vision, then, how 
can they, without presumption, affirm that a person 
cannot be thrown into a similar state by Mesmer- 
ism? It is proved by medical works that such a 



ANIMAL MAGNETISM. 41 

state of the brain is possible ; and who will take 
upon himself to affirm, that it can be induced by no 
other means than disease ? As a state ef catalepsy 
is thus frequently attended with clairvoyance, and 
with total insensibility, so that amputation could be 
performed without pain, then why should we marvel 
when we see the same identical phenomena cluster- 
ing around Mesmerism? I have only to say that, 
our surprise is wholly gratuitous. 

I appeal to medical gentlemen present. Have 
you never seen a case of natural somnambulism? 
There are hundreds of them occur in this city ; and 
in every town there are those who rise in their sleep, 
perform labors, and return to their beds without 
knowing it. In this state they have gone to the top of 
house-frames, walked on the ridgepoles, and safely 
descended. They have, in the darkest nights, walked 
over dangerous and rapid streams on a mere scant- 
ling in safety, where a slight loss of balance would 
have been death, and where it would be impossible 
for them to have crossed in their wakeful state. 
Women have arisen, and in this state have done 
the nicest needle-work. And how did these see? 
Surely not with the natural organ of vision. A 
young lady at boarding-school, learning to paint 
miniatures, and on preparing one for examination- 
day, found that she should be excelled by the other 
pupils. It worried her much, and to her surprise 
she found in the morning, that her picture had 
greatly advanced under the delicate touch of some 
experienced hand. She charged the deed upon her 
teacher, who disclaimed all knowledge of the fact. 
But on the next morning the picture was nearly 
finished, but the transgressor could not be found. 
The Preceptress being strongly suspected, secretly 
sat up and watched. In the dead of night, when all 
was still, the young lady arose, and in a dark room 
arranged her work, mixed her colors, and began to 
paint. Her Preceptress lit a lamp, entered the room, 
4* 



42 LECTURES ON 

and saw that lady finish her picture. She then 
awakened her. How did she see how to mix her 
colors 5 and to give the nicest touch with her pencil 
where no human eye in the wakeful state could 
discern an object? Such facts as these, and even 
more wonderful, are well known to medical gentle- 
men. Now, if persons can by some cause be 
thrown into somnambulism upon their beds, then 
reason teaches that they may be thrown into the 
same state, and even a much deeper sleep by the 
magnetic power. 

We will now take into consideration the philoso- 
phy of clairvoyance. It is evident that seeing, hear- 
ing, feeling, tasting and smelling, belong exclusively 
to the mind. And as we have clearly proved that 
electricity is the only substance that can come in 
contact with mind, so it is through the agency of 
this fluid that sensations are transmitted to the mind. 
Hence, it is through the medium of electricity that 
we see, hear, feel, taste and smell. 

The power of sight being in the mind, it is evident 
that we never saw any thing out of our eyes. The 
whole of this congregation, with all their different 
costumes, their various complexions and different 
appearances, and all their relative distances from 
each other, are struck upon the retina of the speaker's 
eye, on about the bigness of a quarter of an inch. 
By the agency of electricity it is conveyed through 
the optic nerve to the mind where it is seen. Hence, 
we never saw a piece of matter but only its shadow, 
the same as when you look into a mirror, it is not 
yourself, but your image that you see. Electricity 
is that substance that passes through all other sub- 
stances. Air cannot pass through your cranium, nor 
through these walls, nor metallic substances. But as 
all these have countless millions of pores, electricity 
can pass through them. Now if our nervous system 
could be charged with the nervo-vital fluid, so as to 
render the brain positive, and thus bring it into an 



ANIMAL MAGNETISM. 43 

exact equilibrium or balance with external electricity, 
then we should be clairvoyant. Because the nervous 
system being duly charged, and even surcharged, 
the great quantity of this fluid passing in right lines 
from the mind, as a common centre, and in every 
direction through the pores of the skull, renders it 
transparent. Uniting with external electricity which 
passes through these walls and all substances, which 
are also transparent, the image of the whole universe, 
as it were, in this transparent form, is thrown upon 
the mind, and is there seen, and seen, too, inde- 
pendent of the retina. On this principle, the whole 
of those objects which are opaque to natural vision, 
are rendered transparent to the clairvoyant, and he 
sees through walls in succession, and takes cogni- 
zance of their relative distances, on the same principle 
that we in a wakeful state could look through said 
walls if they were thin, transparent glass. On this 
principle, if the subject be charged too much or too 
little, he cannot see clearly. Or if the night be 
rainy, or even damp, and unfavorable to electricity, 
then experiments in clairvoyance must fail, or be 
very imperfect. The subject must be magnetically 
charged exactly to that degree which will bring him 
into magnetic equilibrium with external electricity. 
Then, if the night be favorable, the experiments will 
most likely prove successful. 

That the above principles are correct, and that 
taste, seeing, &c, are electrically conveyed to the 
mind, try the following experiments. Take a half 
dollar, and a piece of zinc of the same size. Touch 
them separately to the tongue, and you will not per- 
ceive any taste. But put the tongue between them, 
and, in this position, touch the edges of the two pieces 
together over the end of the tongue, and you will 
taste a pungent acid. This taste is produced elec- 
trically. Zinc contains a greater portion of electricity 
than the silver, and when they come in contact it 
gives it off to the silver, and conveys the sensation 



44 LECTURES ON 

of taste through the glands to the mind. In further 
proof of this being electricity, put the half dollar 
against the gums under the upper lip. Open the 
mouth and lay the zinc upon the tongue. By 
moving the tongue up and down, you will touch the 
pieces together, and every time they come in contact 
you will not only perceive the same taste before 
described, but you will see a flash of lightning. 
Now that this lightning is seen directly by the mind, 
and independent of the natural organ of the eye, you 
may enter a dark room, and in the darkest night; 
close your eyes and even bandage them, and yet 
when you touch those pieces, as described, you will 
see the flash, even when one from the heavens could 
not be seen. This flash is conveyed through the 
nervous system directly to the mind, where alone 
exists the power of vision. This is not only proof 
that taste and sight are electrically conveyed to the 
mind, but also that electricity is that substance which 
alone comes in contact with mind. 

It is the same in relation to the other senses. 
Even hearing is not produced by the concussion of 
the particles of our air, but by the vibration of the 
particles of electricity conveyed to the mind, and in 
that tremulous manner through the organ of the ear 
coming in direct contact with mind. It is impossible, 
in the nature of things, that so gross a substance as 
air can pass the barriers of the ear and enter the 
brain to produce any sound. But it may be said, 
that though the particles of air do not enter the brain, 
yet with a vibrating motion they strike the drum of 
the ear and convey sound to the mind. This cannot 
be, because there is no air in the brain itself; and 
hence, there is no internal aerial medium through 
which sound could be transmitted to the mind, even 
if we admit that the concussion of the particles of 
external air conveyed it to the drum. I yet ask, 
what is the internal medium beyond, through which 
that sound is conveyed to the mind ? There is no air 



ANIMAL MAGNETISM. 45 

there ; and if it be a vacuum, then no sound what- 
ever can be conveyed. The truth is, that the same 
substance in tremulous motion, which conveys sound 
to the drum of the ear, also passes through it into 
the nervous system, and conveys its oracle to the 
very throne of the living mind. This is electricity, 
which is the only correspondent or mediator between 
mind and matter, laying its brilliant hand upon both 
parties, and bringing them into communication. 

The sense of smell exists in the mind, and from 
surrounding substances the sensation is electrically 
conveyed to it. But as smell is so nearly related to 
taste, the same argument may be applied to both. I 
will therefore proceed to notice the sense of feeling-. 

It is generally said that the sense of feeling is in 
the nerves. But I contend that it belongs exclusively 
to the mind, the nerves being the mere medium 
through which it is electrically conveyed to the mind. 
Indeed, all our sensations, whether of seeing, hear- 
ing, feeling, tasting, or smelling, are conveyed to 
the mind, through the nervous system, from their 
correspondent organs, which are but the mere start- 
ing points, or inlets of sensation. And as the nervo- 
vital fluid, which is of an electric nature, is the only 
substance that acts through the nerves, so electricity 
is the agent which conveys all our sensations to the 
mind. Though it is said that feeling is diffused 
over the whole system, yet strictly speaking, this is 
not true. All feeling is in the mind. It is evident 
that the mind resides in the brain. It is not diffused 
over the whole nervous system, for then we might 
be as sensible that thought proceeded from the hand 
or foot, as from the head. In this case, the loss of a 
hand or foot would be the loss of some portion of 
our minds. The spinal marrow is but a continua- 
tion of the brain. Branches shoot out, and from 
these, other branches in infinite variety, until they 
are spread out over the whole system ten thousand 
times finer than the finest hair-sieve, — so fine that 



46 LECTURES ON 

you cannot put down the point of a cambric needle 
without feeling it, and you cannot feel unless you 
touch a nerve. Hence, you perceive how very fine 
the nervous system must be! Of this system, the 
brain is the fountain, and is the local habitation of 
the mind. 

Now touch the finger to any object, and that touch 
produces a corresponding action upon the brain, and 
through the agency of the electro-magnetic fluid, 
that sensation is conveyed to the mind. It is the 
mind that feels it, and by habit we associate the 
feeling with the end of the finger. But amputate 
the arm, and then touch the corresponding nerve at 
the end of the stump, and he will yet associate the 
feeling with the end of the finger. But the feeling 
is not even in the end of the stump. It is in the 
mind which has its residence in the brain. 

I knew a blacksmith who had his leg amputated 
above the knee. When healed, he put on a wooden 
leg, and resumed his labors in the shop. He could 
feel his leg and toes as usual, and many times in a 
day, he would, without reflection, put down his 
hand to scratch his wooden leg. Being unlearned 
and superstitious, he supposed that his leg was 
buried in an uncomfortable position, and therefore, 
haunted its wooden substitute. He dug it up, placed 
under it a soft cotton bed, and reburied it ; but all to 
no purpose. He made the circumstance known to 
his physician, who told him to find the corresponding 
nerve on the stump, and he could cause the itching 
sensation to cease. He did so, and the difficulties 
were at once overcome. 

A gentleman called upon me, in October, 1842, 
at the house of the Hon. T. J. Greenwood, in 
Marlboro'. He stated, that he injured his arm, the 
cords contracted and drew up his fingers, so as 
perfectly to clench the hand. It was in great pain, 
and the arm was amputated just above the elbow. 
And though three years had passed away, he said 



ANIMAL MAGNETISM. 47 

there was yet a constant pain as though the fingers 
were drawn up ; and from that contraction the pain 
seemed to proceed. Now the whole of this difficulty 
was felt in the brain. If I may be allowed the ex- 
pression, the brain has its legs and arms, and toes 
and fingers. Or allow me to go entirely back. It 
is the mind which has its limbs and all its lineaments 
of form, and from which all form, proportion and 
beauty emanate. 

I observed a moment ago, that the spinal cord 
was but the brain continued. Now let a knife be 
inserted between the joints of the spine, and let this 
cord be severed, and all the parts of the body, below 
the incision, will be paralized. You may now cut 
or burn the legs, but all feeling is gone ; neither can 
they be moved by the will. The will cannot come 
in contact with flesh and blood, only through the 
electro-magnetic fluid. The mind is in the brain, 
and as the spinal marrow is severed, so the lower 
parts are separated from the fountain of feeling. 
The communication of the electrical influence is 
destroyed between the extremities and the mind, and 
hence, the extremities can convey sensations to the 
mind no more. 

I might continue the argument to an indefinite 
extent to prove that all our senses (seeing, hearing-, 
feeling, tasting and smelling) are in the mind, and 
that these sensations, through their corresponding 
organs, are electrically conveyed to the mind, 
through the nervous system, but I forbear, and pro- 
ceed, as usual, to the anticipated experiments of the 
evening. 



48 LECTURES ON 



LECTURE V. 



Ladies and Gentlemen : We are again assem- 
bled to take into consideration the subject of Mes- 
merism. Its growing interest in the public mind is 
manifest, by the increasing throngs that assemble in 
this chapel, to investigate its claims to truth and 
science, and the multitudes that are obliged to retire, 
unable to gain admittance. As several notes, since 
my entrance into this house, have been handed me, 
I shall be obliged to omit introductory remarks, and 
attend to two or three important requests. 

An inquiry is made as to the number of degrees 
or states into which a subject may be thrown. In 
reply to this, I would say, that there are but five 
degrees w^hich have, as yet, come under my obser- 
vation. The first degree is, when the hands or 
even the whole body of the subject can be attracted 
by the conjoint action of the mental and physical 
energies of the magnetizer. The second degree is, 
when the hands, or body of the subject, can be at- 
tracted by the mental energies alone, or by the phy- 
sical energies independent of any mental effort. 
The third degree is, when the subject can neither 
hear nor answer any person but the magnetizer and 
those who are in communication. The fourth de- 
gree is, when the subject can taste what the mag- 
netizer tastes, and smell what he smells. The fifth 
degree is clairvoyance. I would not be understood 
that these five degrees always occur in the order I 
have now stated them ; but I mean that there are 
these five different degrees. Some never seem to 
go further than the third degree, and no surgical 



ANIMAL MAGNETISM. 49 

operation should be performed, unless the subject be 
put completely into this third state, so that no voice 
but the magnetizer's can be heard. It can then be 
performed without any pain. 

Another inquiry is made, whether any person can 
put himself into communication with the subject 
without the magnetizer's consent? I answer, yes. 
Any person may put himself into communication by 
ardently fixing his attention upon the subject while 
another is magnetizing him, especially if he sits near 
him. Or he may do it by touching, or too freely 
handling him. He may do it by violently throwing 
his hands towards him, and within a foot of his 
body. Or, lastly, he may take two or three electric 
shocks from a charged Leyden jar, within eight or ten 
feet of the subject, being careful to fix his eyes firm- 
ly upon him while taking the shock. The second 
or third shock, the subject will start with him who 
receives it — and when he starts he is in communi- 
cation. 

A third inquiry is made, whether any one but the 
magnetizer can awaken the subject? Certainly. 
Any person who is put in communication with him 
can take him out of the state. Or by a firm deter- 
mination, he can awaken himself. In fact, he may 
be put in bed, and in a few hours, say from eight to 
fourteen, he will come out of it the natural way. 

A fourth, and last inquiry is made, if magnetism 
be true, why has not more of it been seen, at least 
in some small degree, in different ages ? I answer, , 
that its history dates back to a very early age which 
I cannot now pursue, but would refer you to the 
" Magnet," a work published by the Rev. La Roy 
Sunderland, in New York city, and which can be 
had in monthly numbers, at two dollars per annum, 
and may be obtained in Court street, in this city. 
It is a work which is conducted with great ability, 
and should be in possession of every family. But 
the inquirer asks, " why has not more of it been 
5 



50 



LECTURES ON 



seen, at least in some small degree, in different 
ages ? " I answer, it has been seen and felt. Have 
you never read the bold, lofty, and full-gushing elo- 
quence of Demosthenes, whose thunders roused 
Greece into action, and moved her sons as the wind 
in its rushing majesty moves the sublime magnifi- 
cence of ten thousand forests? This was but the 
magnetic principle, the lightning of the mind, by 
which they were electrified, and made to act as one 
man against the powers of Philip. The same is 
true of Cicero, who shook the Roman senate with 
his voice, and beneath the electric glance of whose 
awful eye, even Cataline quailed. I am well aware 
that you will call this sympathy. But what is sym- 
pathy ? It is the nervo-vital fluid thrown from a 
full, energetic brain, upon another of kindred feel- 
ing. That brain being roused effects another, and 
that still another, till the whole assembly are brought 
into magnetic sympathy with the speaker, and by 
him are moved as the soul of one man. 

As a further answer to this question, I will notice 
one fact more ; and in doing this, I shall remove 
what has long been considered as a stigma on a 
large and respectable denomination. I mean the 
Methodists. Ever since that class of Christians had 
a religious existence in the United States, persons 
have fallen down into a species of trance. Other 
denominations call this delusion, and many call it 
deception, because such things never occur in their 
meetings. But there is no deception in this — it is 
really the magnetic state — or more properly the 
spiritual state. Every preacher cannot do it, and as 
it is done without contact, comparatively few are 
subjects of it. 

But take a preacher of strong muscular powers ; 
one who has large concentrativeness, and eye of 
lightning, and a warm, a sincere and ardent soul. 
He enters a tent at camp-meeting, where there are 
fifteen or twenty persons- He kneels down and 



ANIMAL MAGNETISM. 51 

prays most fervently ; he rises and sings most de- 
votionally. He is in close contact with his little 
group. He begins to exhort most sincerely ; and 
soon the deep fountains of his soul are broken up. 
A female, perchance, is moved to tears. His con- 
centration being large, he keeps his eye steadily fix- 
ed upon her, and he wills and desires, that she shall 
feel as he feels, and be converted to God. At length 
she falls into this singular state. She has gone there 
in the preacher's feelings, and in his feelings she will 
come out of it. Now, if he would follow my direc- 
tions, he could restore her in two minutes. I will 
pledge myself to arouse any one from this magnetic 
state in five minutes. Dr. Cannon, of this city, took 
a lady out of this state a few weeks ago, in Prov- 
incetown, who was thrown into it in a religious 
meeting, and who appeared nearly lifeless. A report 
of this was published in the " Christian Freeman." 
Now all these are really magnetic effects that we 
have seen, and for many years in succession. So 
the inquiries are all answered, and I hope, to the 
satisfaction of the inquirers and the congregation. 

I must now proceed to notice the dangers and 
abuses of Mesmerism. It is often said by its op- 
posers, that even if it be true, yet it is dangerous, 
because it can be abused, and therefore ought not to 
be practised. But do you know of any blessing 
beneath these heavens but what has been, and still 
continues to be abused? No, you do not. Do you 
know of a more common blessing than taste? yet 
to gratify their taste, millions on millions have gone 
down to a drunkard's tomb! Mothers have been 
more than widowed, and children more than or- 
phanised. They have been beaten and abused, and 
suffered cold, and hunger, and nakedness. Under 
it, crimes have been committed, and the state prisons 
filled with wretched men. Human beings have also 
by millions gone down to their graves through excess 
in eating. But is taste a curse because men abuse 



52 LECTURES ON 

it ? and must it, therefore, be struck from the eata~ 
logue of Heaven's mercies ? All answer, no. Ac- 
quisitiveness, benevolence, and combativeness can 
be abused, and so can all the organs of the human 
brain. But ought they not on that account to be 
indulged ? 

Once more ; there is not a greater blessing than 
the gospel of Christ. It teaches us to love and for- 
give our enemies ; to resist not evil, and to do unto 
others as we would that they should do unto us. It 
is calculated to moderate our feelings in prosperity 
— to comfort us in the day of adversity — and to sus- 
tain us under all the troubles and disappointments 
incident to mortal life. When our parents, friends 
and children are on their dying bed, we can 
shake the farewell hand of mortal separation, with 
the hope of meeting them again in future realms. 
And not only so, but when we lie down upon the 
bed of death, and the embers of life feebly glimmer 
in the socket of existence, then the gospel of Christ 
points us to brighter scenes — scenes beyond the 
tomb. Yet men have abused that gospel, and one 
denomination has risen up against another, and 
doomed each other to the stake. Rivers of human 
blood have flowed in the holy wars. But is the 
gospel a curse, and should it be struck from exist- 
ence merely because men abuse it? No, is the 
answer of every Christian heart. Then the objec- 
tion fails. One thing must settle this point. There 
is nothing that God has established as a law in our 
nature, but what was designed to be a blessing to 
his creatures. The magnetic principle is not of 
man, but one the Creator has established, and is, 
therefore, a blessing. And if it could not be abused, 
it would differ from all other blessings he has be- 
stowed on man. 

But it is said, that a man upon the high-way may 
be thrown into the state and robbed. But I deny 
that any person can be thrown into the state against 



ANIMAL MAGNETISM. 53 

his will, if he will at the same time use physical 
resistance. And when in the magnetic state, he has 
twice the strength to resist, and defend himself, that 
he has when out of it. We generally know with 
whom we have to deal, and surely we would not 
suffer an enemy, nor the unprincipled, to put us into 
the mesmeric slumber. But if you wish to be safe, 
and are really fearful of consequences, I will give 
you a rule of action. It is this : never allow any 
one to magnetize you unless it be in the presence of 
a third person. Observe this rule, and no danger 
arising from this source will ever cross your path. 

Having answered these objections, I will now 
show you where there are real dangers. In the first 
place, though every person can be mesmerised, yet 
there are but few who can be easily thrown into this 
state. The greater proportion, by far, would require 
several hours of hard labor. Hence, when one is 
found who is easy to mesmerise, curiosity is awaken- 
ed, and every one wishes to make a trial of his 
power and skill. One mesmerises this individual in 
the morning, another in the evening, and a new set 
of operators perform the same task on the next day, 
and so on. Now, in such cases, there is that mixing 
and crossing of all these different fluids in the sub- 
ject's brain, which, if persisted in too long, will 
prove injurious, even if all these magnetizers are 
healthy persons. If you mesmerise a person, and 
thoroughly wake him, yet the whole of that fluid 
does not completely pass from his brain short of a 
week. Select one healthy magnetizer, and continue 
him. If you change to another, then wait a fortnight 
before you allow him to operate. Too much care in 
this respect cannot be taken. But I point out to you 
a still more serious danger. 

There are persons who undertake to mesmerise 

others, who have some local disease, or are in feeble 

health. By so doing, they injure themselves, and 

also the subject. Such persons have no nervo- vital 

5* 



54 



LECTURES ON 



fluid to spare, and what little they have is in a dis- 
eased state, and unfit to be thrown upon the nervous 
system of another. I care not what the disease may 
be, by long persisting in mesmerising a person, that 
disease will be, at length, communicated to the sub- 
ject. Great caution, in this respect, should be ob- 
served by both parties, if they would not impair their 
health. Weakness of lungs, and even consumption, 
may be, by thirty or forty magnetizings, brought 
upon an individual, and send him to his grave. I 
therefore seriously admonish you to beware of this 
common danger. Never allow any person of a poor 
constitution to put you into this state ; and I also 
warn those who are diseased, or even in delicate 
health, never to mesmerise others, for they will, by 
so doing, inflict upon themselves a serious injury. 

But, on the other hand, there is no danger in a 
healthy person magnetizing those who are diseased. 
As the operator imparts the nervo-vital fluid, and 
does not receive any in return, he is in no danger 
of taking the disease of his patient. Caution is, 
however, to be observed in taking the patient out of 
this state. He should not make the upward passes 
in such a manner as to throw the fluid on himself. 
If he do, he is in some danger of contracting the 
disease. An experienced magnetizer will under- 
stand how to avail himself of this caution. 

Once more ; there are persons who undertake to 
magnetize others who are entirely ignorant as to the 
mode of operation, and frequently bring persons into 
serious difficulty by getting alarmed, or otherwise 
thrown out of bias in their feelings. Several cases 
of this kind I have been called to attend to, in vari- 
ous sections, and some of a very serious character. 
No persons should undertake to mesmerise others 
until they shall have learned of some experienced 
magnetizer how to perform it, and made themselves 
acquainted with all the difficulties that may cluster 
around it. 



ANIMAL MAGNETISM. 55 

Having attended to these important points, I will 
now turn your attention to local magnetism. By 
local magnetism, I mean the magnetizing of some 
part of the human body without charging the whole 
brain. Hence, the finger, the hand, the arm, the leg, 
yes, even the eyelid, the lip, or the tongue, may be 
mesmerised while the person is in the wakeful state, 
and so may be any of the phrenological organs. It 
is true, that this cannot be so easily done on persons 
who have never been mesmerised at all, as on those 
who have been thrown into the state. If the brain 
has been once magnetically subdued, then there is 
no occasion, even if the amputation of a limb is to 
be performed, to magnetize any other part than the 
one to be subjected to the operation. If a person be 
very hard to mesmerise, then it will be proportionally 
difficult to mesmerise any limb. But it will be 
borne in mind, that however long it may take in 
successive sittings to magnetically subdue the brain, 
yet after that is once accomplished, then the person 
can, in future, be wholly mesmerised at any time in 
five minutes, and locally so in a much less period. 
Hence, should an arm be broken or mutilated, it 
will only be necessary to put that limb into the 
magnetic state, and it can be set or amputated with- 
out pain ; and thus, by occasionally renewing the 
mesmeric action, it can be kept in this state and 
healed, without ever experiencing any suffering 
whatever. 

I perceive that some smile in view of these state- 
ments. They are truly so wonderful, that increduli- 
ty adjures us to reject them. But they are, never- 
theless, Heaven's unchanging truths, which cannot 
bend to circumstances, nor shape themselves to the 
belief or scepticism of men. They stand out in bold 
relief, and bid defiance to the sneers and scorns of 
mankind. A surgical operation has just been per- 
formed in Lowell on a lady while in the mesmeric 
state. A tumor was extracted from the shoulder, 



56 



LECTURES ON 



where it was necessary to cut to the depth of two 
inches. Dr. Shattuck was the magnetizer; and in 
the presence of several medical men of Lowell, one 
of whom was the operator, this tumor was removed 
without the slightest sensation of pain. This was 
not done in a corner, but publicly, and in the pres- 
ence of several hundred spectators. It is too late in 
the day to cry " humbug and collusion" for the battle 
is fought, and the victory is won, and the scale has 
turned in favor of truth, and turned with most pre- 
ponderating weight, and on the stereotyped argu- 
ment, " hum b ug and collusion" is written " tekel." 

Well-authenticated facts, and medical reports of 
operations in surgery and dentistry, performed under 
the energies of Mesmerism, in both continents, and 
without pain, are continually reaching us. And 
with this flood of light pouring upon the world, 
and when men of the first talents and science in the 
republic of letters, and out of all the various profes- 
sions and denominations, are among its advocates, 
scepticism is not only waning, but justly losing its 
popularity. Those men have seriously investigated 
and weighed the matter, and they severally declare, 
as did the Rev. Mr. Pierpont, on the last evening, 
before two thousand hearers, in this house, " I have 
no belief nor unbelief on this subject. I know, I 
KNOW it to be so ! " And now I ask, what ought 
the mere opinion, or the expressed unbelief of even 
an honest sceptic, to weigh against the absolute and 
certain knowledge of an equally honest, intelligent, 
and scientific man, whose character is above suspi- 
cion? I leave the candid to judge, and have only to 
say, that in the face of modesty, they have no right 
to call this science " humbug and collusion." 

Others pretend that the science of Animal Mag- 
netism was condemned by the French Committee in 
Paris, among whom our illustrious Franklin was 
numbered. And as it received its condemnation 
under the scrutiny of such minds, therefore they 



ANIMAL MAGNETISM. 57 

conclude that it has no foundation in truth. There 
always have been, and still are, men who dare not 
think for themselves, but wholly lean upon the 
opinions of others. Their father, their doctor, their 
lawyer, and their minister, thought thus and so, and 
they think just so, too. Their fathers put down a 
central stake, gave them their length of line, and bid 
them travel round in that circle of revolving thought 
till the day of their death ! All beyond that circle is 
darkness! Their field of thought is as exactly 
measured off to them, and just as legally bequeathed 
1o them, as their farms. They received them both 
by inheritance. For the one they never labored, 
and for the other they never thought! And they 
never questioned the truth of the one, any more than 
they did their title to the other ! 

But surely the French Committee did not deny 
the truth of the experiments produced, nor pro- 
nounce them " humbug and collusion." They sim- 
ply decided that the evidence adduced was not suf- 
ficient to prove that the magnetic state was caused 
by a fluid proceeding from the magnetizer. They 
attributed the singular effects they witnessed to the 
power of the imagination. But it will also be re- 
membered, that this committee were not all agreed, 
and hence appeared the remonstrance of the minori- 
ty, which it would be well for modern sceptics to 
read, side by side with the report. 

Many sceptics have been obliged, like the French 
Committee, to admit certain results as being truly 
wonderful, and, like them, attribute it to the force of 
the imagination. But to believe that the imagination 
can bring human beings into a state where limbs 
can be amputated, tumors cut out, teeth extracted, 
and broken bones set, and the whole healed without 
experiencing one throb of pain, — to believe, I say, 
that the imagination can do all these wonders, in 
giving such boundless triumph over pain, requires a 
far greater stretch of credulity than to believe in the 



58 LECTURES ON 

magnetic power! And surely if the imagination 
possesses the wonderful charm to bring the nervous 
system into a condition where we can bid defiance 
to pain, and gain a complete victory over the whole 
frightful army of human woes, then surely the science 
is equally important, possesses the same transcendent 
claims upon our benevolence, and the man who 
discovered that the imagination possessed this charm, 
is worthy of the united thanks of all human-kind ; 
and being dead, his bones are worthy to repose with 
the great men of the universe. In this case, it will 
only be necessary to change its name, and call it 
The science of the wonderful power of the 
human imagination to charm all pain. 



ANIMAL MAGNETISM. 59 



LECTURE VI 



Ladies and Gentlemen: In the first four lectures 
I delivered of the present course, I brought forward 
the philosophy of Mesmerism, and flatter myself that 
I have not only succeeded in establishing it as a 
science, but have shown it to be one of transcendent 
interest to the human race. Here love and benevo- 
lence stretch out a healing hand over a world groan- 
ing and travailing in pain. Those groans, by that 
silken hand, shall be hushed, and those pains be re- 
moved. There is a power basined up in the foun- 
tains of the soul, that has long been dormant. But 
it is rousing up and stirring itself for some mighty 
action, and is already beginning to gush forth in 
healing streams on the world. This science is in its 
infancy, is imperfectly understood, but yet it breathes 
the breath of mercy as a sovereign cure for all human 
woes. 

In my last lecture, I answered several notes of 
inquiry, pointed out the dangers of Magnetism, re- 
futed several common objections in relation to its 
abuses, noticed the utility of the science in perform- 
ing painful surgical operations, and took a friendly 
glance at the conduct of men in justifying their 
scepticism by pleading the general issue of the 
Report of the French Committee, and concluded by 
touching lightly upon the power of the human 
imagination. 

I now stand before you in the confident convic- 
tion that much good will result from my labors to 
the cause of benevolence and mercy. I am urged 
to repeat my course of lectures next week, but it will 



60 LECTURES ON 

be out of my power to comply with this request at 
that time, but have consented to do so, week after 
next. As this will be my closing lecture for 1he 
present, I can render you no greater service than to 
show what connection this subject has with divine 
revelation. I am well aware that many will call me 
an enthusiast, and sneer at, and condemn me for 
thinking independently. But when the path of duty 
is plain, and when I am once satisfied of truth, I then 
go on, and reason, fearless of all consequences. 
Under such circumstances, I have nothing to do with 
the inquiry, what will men think of me ? I care not 
what they think, and much less do I care what they 
say. I suffer no man to invade the sanctuary of my 
civil and religious rights, and dictate to me how I 
shall think, or what I shall believe, or what I shall 
proclaim. I therefore hold no one responsible for 
what I shall advance in this lecture, nor do I know 
as there is one, with whom I am connected, who 
will endorse my ideas. 

I believe the doctrine of our Saviour to be a per- 
fect doctrine, and exactly adapted to the bodies as 
well as to the souls of men. I believe that he is our 
example to follow, and as he went about doing good, 
healing sickness and relieving distress of body as 
well as preaching the gospel to heal the moral mala- 
dies of the soul, so it is our duty to do the same. It 
is, moreover, most evident that his doctrine, to the 
full extent he commanded his apostles to preach it, 
was to go down to all subsequent ages, so long as 
human beings should have a habitation on earth. 
And our Saviour just as much commanded his 
apostles to heal the sick, as he did to preach the 
gospel. Now I cannot believe that one half of the 
power and mercy of his doctrine should cease with 
the ministry of his apostles, and the other half con- 
tinue. I cannot believe that its healing efficacy, so 
far as the body is concerned, should cease, and what 
was applicable to the soul should continue. If this 



ANIMAL MAGNETISM. 61 

be so, then what a favored generation of Christians 
existed in that day, so far, at least, as healing the body 
was concerned. It was said, in the apostolic age, 
" Is any man sick, let him send for the elders of the 
church, and let them lay their hands upon him and 
pray, and the sick shall recover." I believe this now, 
and so far as we have power and faith, it can be 
accomplished now as well as ever. 

There is a difference between a miracle and a gift 
of healing. If an arm be palsied, we know that the 
difficulty exists in the brain, and that nothing more 
is necessary than to throw upon it a sufficient quan- 
tity of the nervous fluid to bring it into healthy ac- 
tion. The moment this is accomplished, the diffi- 
culty existing in the arm, which is but secondary, 
will be relieved. To restore this, would be a gift of 
healing, but not a miracle. What, then, would be a 
miracle? Answer; amputate an arm, and then 
cause a new one to grow out. Though healing 
diseases is sometimes called a miracle, yet when 
speaking of them specifically, they are not so de- 
nominated. Paul says, " God hath set some in the 
church ; first, apostles ; secondarily, prophets ; thirdly, 
teachers ; after that, miracles, then gifts of healings, 
helps, governments," &c. And there is not a scrap 
of evidence that these things were ever to cease while 
the generations of men endured. 

Now if our Saviour restored a palsied arm, then 
there must something have passed from him to the 
person healed in perfect accordance with the princi- 
ples of animal life. It must, therefore, in this case, 
have been the nervous fluid, as this was the only 
substance that could have restored this arm. 

It is undeniably true, that there was always some- 
thing passed from our Saviour, when he exercised 
the gift of healing, to the person whom he restored. 
In evidence of this, you will recollect, that on one 
occasion when he was called to visit a sick person, a 
multitude followed after, and thronged him. As he 
6 



62 



LECTURES Otf 



passed by, a woman, who had been afflicted with an 
issue of blood for twelve years, touched the hem of 
his garment, and was made whole. He turned him- 
self around, and said, Who touched me ? His disci- 
ples exclaimed, ; ' Master, the multitude throng thee, 
and sayest thou, Who touched me? But he per- 
ceived that virtue had gone out of him." The word 
virtue, in this instance, does not mean moral good- 
ness. It means force, power, efficacy; the same as 
when we say a medicine has great virtue in it. 

Our Saviour so lived, and breathed, and moved in 
the divine Being, that he became one in communi- 
cation with him ; so that when the Father ivilled, he 
felt that will — he himself then willed, and it was 
accomplished. So, if any one bowed in reconcilia- 
tion to God, he became one with the Saviour, so 
that the Redeemer, also, felt that one's will. Such 
was the case of this woman. She willed in faith to 
be healed. The Saviour felt that will — He willed 
and it was done. Now every being has power in 
proportion to the energy of his own will, but the 
energy of the will, depends upon the intrinsic great- 
ness of that being's mind. And as a miracle is a 
thing performed by the energy of the will, so that 
mind must be great in power and goodness, that 
is capable of performing a miracle. We sit down, 
and put forth the energy of a thousand wills, and at 
last produce but a small result. 

The apostolic power was far greater, and in the 
same ratio, their results were more splendid and glo- 
rious. But still they had not the power of Christ. 
The leper said, " Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make 
me clean. Jesus stretched forth his hand, and touched 
him, and said, I will, be thou clean, and his leprosy 
was cleansed." By a word, he put to right disabled 
limbs, and drew back life and warm gushing health 
to their abode. He put forth a greater energy — and 
said to the winds and waves, Peace ! be still ! His 
will fastened upon electricity in the heavens, equal- 



ANIMAL MAGNETISM. 63 

Ized that fluid, hushed the winds, and calmed the 
waves. He opened the blind eye to the splendor of 
the noon-tide blaze, and instantly penciled on its 
retina, the universe. He opened the deaf ear, and 
poured into its once silent, but now vocal chambers, 
the harmony of rejoicing nature. He spoke, and 
the dead stirred in their graves, and rose up from 
their icy beds before him, and walked. That same 
dread voice shall speak with a living energy, that the 
very heavens shall hear, and the dead shall rise to die 
no more, and turn their eyes from the dark, ruinable 
tomb on the opening scenes of eternity! Mind and 
will in the Creator, still more increased, move un- 
numbered worlds. That same will, now infinite and 
immutable, puts forth creative energy. He spake, 
and it was done ; he commanded, and it stood fast ; 
laid the measures thereof, and stretched the line upon 
it when the morning stars sang together, and all the 
sons of God shouted for joy. Hence, every grade 
of mind, from the humblest up to apostolic great- 
ness ; up to angel and archangel, cherubim and ser- 
aphim ; up to Jesus Christ, till it reach the infinite 
Jehovah, has power proportionate to its greatness 
and goodness. Hence, it will be readily understood, 
that a miracle is nothing more than a result pro- 
duced by mind itself, independent of all physical 
energy, except that one substance which is put into 
motion by the living mind. 

It may perhaps be said, that the apostles were in- 
spired to heal, and as we are not inspired, therefore, 
we do not possess the gift to heal. On this principle 
I might reply, that the apostles were inspired to 
preach, and as we are not inspired, therefore, we 
have no gift to preach! I grant that the apostles 
were inspired to preach and to heal, because it was 
not possible, that at the starting point, they had any 
other means for preparation. But now men preach, 
not by inspiration, but because they feel it to be their 
duty. So men must now heal because they feel it 
to be their duty. 



64 LECTURES ON 

It is by no means to be expected that we can 
come up, at once, to apostolic power. No ; our 
faith is too weak. But let us bring up our children 
in the faith as we ought, and they will learn to mes- 
merise as naturally as they learn to walk. Their 
concentrativeness will become largely developed. 
Their children will be born with more favorably 
developed heads, and become greater in goodness, 
until at length the whole apostolic power will return 
to the earth in all its primitive splendor. It is Spir- 
itualism, because it is the innate power of the living 
mind, executed through the agency of the will. It 
is that power which created worlds, for this was 
done by the will of God. It is that power by which 
worlds are governed, and creatures ruled, for this is 
also done by the will of God. It is that power by 
which we make impressions reciprocally upon each 
other, for this is done by the will of man. And 
lastly, it is " that power which shall awake the dead 
from dreamless slumber into thoughts of heaven," 
for this will be done by the will of God, and there is 
no medium, only electricity, through which he can 
come in contact with his creatures. 

I will now bring forward a few cases from scrip- 
ture, to show that the living have been thrown into 
a singular slumber by the very presence of immortal 
beings. Indeed, there is scarcely an instance where 
angels have appeared to men, but what it has had 
this effect. I will bring forward those that first 
strike my mind, regardless of their arrangement. 

It will be remembered, that when John the Rev- 
elator was in the isle of Patmos, he had this vision : 
" And being turned, I saw seven golden candle- 
sticks, and in the midst of the seven candlesticks, 
one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a gar- 
ment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with 
a golden girdle. His head and his hair were white 
like wool ; as white as snow, and his eyes were as a 
flame of fire ; and his feet like unto fine brass as if 



ANIMAL MAGNETISM. 65 

they had been burned in a furnace, and his voice as 
the sound of many waters. And he had in his right 
hand seven stars, and out of his mouth went a sharp 
two-edged sword, and his countenance was as the 
sun shineth in his strength. And when I saw him 
I fell down at his feet as one that is dead." Here 
then, is a singular slumber approximating death. 

Our Saviour, when he was transfigured on Mount 
Taber, took Peter, James and John with him. For 
a moment he was changed into his resurrection 
splendor, and met Moses and Elias in glory. The 
sacred historian in describing the scene, says, " And 
his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment be- 
came shining, exceeding white as snow, white as 
the light, so as no fuller on earth can white them, 
and there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talk- 
ing with him. And Peter and them that were with 
him were heavy with sleep ; and Peter said, Lord, 
it is good for us to be here. Let us build here three 
tabernacles ; one for thee, one for Moses, and one 
for Elias, not knowing what he said." That is, 
when he came out of this sleep he did not recol- 
lect what he had said. They were thrown into this 
state by the very presence of these minds. 

Do you remember that after our Lord had eaten 
his valedictory supper with his disciples, he went in- 
to the garden of Gethsemane, and commanded them 
to watch. He went a few steps from them and 
prayed in agony, and sweat as it were drops of blood 
falling to the ground. The guardian angel of Jesus 
Christ appeared from heaven strengthening him. 
The apostles fell into a deep sleep. Though this 
was a scene of great interest to them, yet it seems 
that the presence of this angel thus affected them. 

He was nailed to the cross between two male- 
factors to darken his glory and blot his name. The 
Jews were his accusers, and the Romans his execu- 
tioners. Hence, the world was combined against 
him, while his own disciples forsook him in that 



66 LECTURES ON 

dark hour of peril. The universe thus combined 
against him, mocking and deriding him, and cover- 
ing him with disgrace, even nature herself stepped 
forward as it were, and with a mighty hand wiped 
off that disgrace, and sustained him in his majesty. 
The sun withdrew his light, rolled back his chariot, 
midnight darkness spread her robe of sackcloth upon 
his brilliant disc, and hung the world in the dark 
shroud of mourning. Earthquakes awoke from 
their tartarean dens and thundered. The earth 
shook, the rocks rent, the graves opened, all nature 
roused up and there brought to a centre all that is 
grand, awful and sublime in her realms, as the mag- 
nanimous sufferer expired! He was conveyed to 
his tomb, and Roman soldiers were there stationed 
to guard it. Soldiers whose business it was to die, 
— who had been brought up in tented fields of war, 
and who had from childhood encountered hardships 
and toils, fatigues and dangers. They were men, 
who had often bared their bosoms to the shafts of 
battle, and undismayed listened to its stormy voice, 
and who knew not what it was to quail beneath the 
glance of a mortal eye. Such -men as these, were 
stationed to guard that tomb, and hold the Prince of 
Life in death. But, 

" An angel's arm can't snatch him from the grave ; 
Legions of angels can't confine him there." 

On the morning of the third day, the last grand 
scene in this interesting drama was opened. The 
guardian angel of Jesus Christ was once more dis- 
patched from the eternal throne. He descended 
from heaven, and an earthquake shook creation. 
He approached the tomb of the Holy Sleeper, and 
stood before it. " He rolled back the stone from 
the door of the sepulchre and sat upon it. His 
countenance was like the lightning, and his raiment 



ANIMAL MAGNETISM. 67 

white as snow ; and for fear of him, the keepers did 
shake, and become as dead men! " 

What, I ask, was it that threw them into this 
slumber, with feelings of a cold shuddering fear, 
so nigh approaching the dead ? I answer, it was the 
will of this angel, whose countenance was like the 
lightning, that sunk them into a motionless sleep. It 
was his ivill which struck the vibrations of terror 
through the dark chambers of their souls, and with- 
ered them to the earth. 

I should like to notice the circumstance of Paul 
being caught up into the third heavens — whether out 
of the body or in the body, he could not tell — of 
Peter falling into a trance when he went upon the 
house-top to pray, and of Zacharias being struck 
dumb in the temple, but time will not permit. 

I close, by returning my sincere thanks to the 
Moderators, for the good order they have preserved ; 
to the various Committees, for their patient examina- 
tions and impartial reports of the experiments per- 
formed ; and to the ladies and gentlemen, for their 
faithful attendance and respectful attention, and also 
for the good feelings they have uniformly manifested 
towards the lecturer during the entire course, which 
is now brought to a termination. 



NOTE. 



"We are created with a susceptibility of pain, and severe 
pain. This is a part of our nature, as truly as our susceptibility 
of enjoyment. God has implanted it, and has thus opened in 
the very centre of our being a fountain of suffering. We carry 
it within us, and can no more escape it than we can our power 
of thought. We are apt to throw our pains on outward things 
as their causes. It is the fire, the sea, the sword, or human en- 
mity which gives us pain. But there is no pain in the fire or 
the sword, which passes thence into our souls. The pain be- 



68 LECTURES, ETC. 

gins and ends in the soul itself. Outward things are only the 
occasions. Even the body has no pain in it, which it infuses into 
the mind. Of itself, it is incapable of suffering. This hand may 
be cracked, crushed in the rack of the inquisitor, and that burnt 
in a slow fire ; but in these cases it is not the fibres, the blood- 
vessels, the bones of the hand which endure pain. These are 
merely connected, by the will of the Creator, with the springs of 
pain in the soul. Here, here is the only origin and seat of suf- 
fering. If God so willed, the gashing of the flesh with a knife, 
the piercing of the heart with a dagger, might be the occasion 
of exquisite delight. We know that, in the heat of battle, a 
wound is not felt, and that men, dying for their faith by instru- 
ments of torture, have expired with triumph on their lips. In 
these cases, the spring of suffering in the mind is not touched 
by the lacerations of the body, in consequence of the absorbing 
action of other principles of the soul. All suffering is to be 
traced to the susceptibility, the capacity of pain, which belongs 
to our nature, and which the Creator has implanted ineradicably 
within us." 

Dr. Channing. 



.*> 



«*■- 








H > 5 ' • 


















t°* 




r oV 




0? ^ 












^0 











\ 



.^ 



■aS 



4 o v 








A v 






H°* 



0° *«►/*•"'•* y 

■£ Sls^** ^ Deacidified using the Bookkeeper process. 

A^ ^"^S^^is* ^ Neutralizing agent: Magnesium Oxide 

<3* £& o /*\ > *£* Trpatmpnt nato M™, onnA 






O 




V- Treatment Date: Nov. 2004 

[* ^ PreservationTechnologies 

4S A WORLD LEADER IN PAPER PRESERVATION 

<$* * ' 1 \V 1 1 1 Thomson Park Drive 

<\V" y « "*^\ <> e, s • Cranberry Township, PA 16066 

-& ^r^^ • /v -ft ^^S (724)779-2111 




' < v <u - - - 















V\ s • • 



*bv" 








A°* 



<& 



y~ o. 




iO-TV 







%~> N MANCHtSTER. * '-trf. 1 ^ 






LIBRARY U\- w" ul ' 




013 521734 7 



man 






ttn 



V 



%m 



Kan 



wm 



FtfW 



■A HI 



IW 



Wu HI 

Hi 

V.&ftfttfiHflHttl 



jtftffBBil 




I i 



Hi 18 

lllll 
111111 

nil 
HI I 



